On June 9, 2023, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed into law HB 2907 and HB 3396, amending the Illinois Labor Disputes Act ("Act") to expand protections for striking workers. The new law restricts defensive measures available to employers affected by picket activity. Specifically, HB 2907 limits the amount an employer can recover for damages it suffers as a result of a labor dispute. HB 3396 makes it a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $500 to place any object in the public way with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding a picket or other demonstration or protest. The amendments are slated to take effect on January 1, 2024.
Currently the Act prohibits Illinois courts from enjoining peaceful picketers who are "recommending, advising, or persuading others" to cease work.1 The Act has provided broad protection for peaceful picketers since its enactment. For example, it provides access to most employer locations by defining the public right of way as the "portion of the highway or street adjacent to the roadway for accommodating stopped vehicles or for emergency use; or that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines."2 Picketers are permitted to erect temporary signs, park between one and ten vehicles on the public right of way, and erect tents and other temporary shelter for the "health, welfare, personal safety, and well-being of picketers."3 The Act expressly preempts any...
The police are investigating a report by the Clean Air Committee against energy supplier RWE, a spokesperson has confirmed after it was reported in the NRC and Zembla. The environmental organizati...