2026 Illinois Employment Legislation Updates
August 19, 2026
At A Glance
- Paid Jury Duty Leave
- Menopause Equity and Care Act
- Driver’s License in Job Postings
Introduction
Illinois concluded its 2026 legislative session with the passage of some notable employmentrelated bills. Below is a high-level overview of key changes employers should begin preparing for in 2026 and beyond. The following laws take effect on January 1, 2027.
Paid Jury Duty Leave
Public Act 104-0683 makes amendments to the state's Jury Act and Jury Commission Act. Employers with at least 26 employees will be required to provide paid Jury Duty leave to their employees. Employers must compensate an employee at their regular rate of pay for the time spent serving on a jury duty.
Menopause Equity and Care Act
The Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for menopause related conditions. Reasonable accommodations fall under the same types of reasonable accommodations that can be provided for pregnancy. Employers must also post a notice regarding employee rights in the workplace and employee handbooks.
Driver's License in Job Postings
The Illinois Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from requiring job applicants to have a valid driver’s license unless driving is an essential function of the job and a business necessity. If a driver’s license is required, the job posting must state why the requirement is necessary.
Next Steps
Employers should review their current policies and practices to ensure compliance before the applicable effective dates.
Thank you for choosing Paylocity as your valued service partner. This information is provided as a courtesy, may change, and is not intended as legal or tax guidance. Employers with questions or concerns outside the scope of a Payroll Service Provider are encouraged to seek the advice of a qualified CPA, Tax Attorney, or Advisor.
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