Villanueva Sponsors Comprehensive Legislation to Protect Employees from Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

CHICAGO, Ill. – Continuing her efforts to protect employees against all forms of sexual harassment and discrimination, state Rep. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, sponsored comprehensive legislation to expand the protections for hotel and casino employees across Illinois.

“No one should have to fear discrimination, harassment or abuse in the workplace, especially those who are required to work in setting that can place them at an additional risk,” said Villanueva. “We must do everything we can to make employees feel safe when they go to work every day.”

The Villanueva-sponsored Senate Bill 75 is sweeping legislation that establishes additional protections against sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Among the broad range of new safeguards and policies established under the legislation is the creation of the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) to ensure employees know their rights and are not required to give them up to obtain a job. The expansion of the Illinois Human Rights Act to require employers, employment agencies and labor organizations to ensure ‘nonemployees’ performing services through a contract are not subjected to hostile work environments or sexual harassment; and a requirement that the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) provide free sexual harassment prevention training annually.

This legislation also creates the Hotel and Casino Employees Safety Act requiring hotels and casinos to equip employees working alone in a guest room, restroom or casino floor with safety devices, such as a panic button, as well as write an anti-sexual harassment policy that protects employees against sexual assault and harassment by guests.

“There are constituents in my district who work at hotels who will be impacted by this initiative to make workplaces across Illinois safer, but only if everyone does their part and takes a stand against harassment and discrimination of all forms,” said Villanueva. “Many of the employees this legislation will protect are minority women who are working very hard to provide for their families.”

Senate bill 75 has passed both the Illinois House and Senate and was sent to Gov. J.B Pritzker for further consideration.