Moylan-Sponsored Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act is Signed into Law

DES PLAINES, Ill. – Working to protect individuals from harassment and abuse, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, sponsored comprehensive legislation to expand protections for hotel and casino employees across Illinois.

“No one should feel threatened while working in a hotel, casino or anywhere” said Moylan. “We need to do everything we can to make sure employees in both the public and private sector feel safe when they go to work each day.”

The Moylan-backed initiative is sweeping legislation that relates to many different issues regarding employee safety and ethics. Senate Bill 75 creates the Hotel and Casino Employees Safety Act which requires 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.

This comprehensive legislation also reforms the process for local and state elected officials to file statements of economic interest and creates the Workplace Transparency Act (WTA) to prohibit employers from preventing disclosure or waiver of an employee’s rights related to sexual harassment, discrimination, harassment or retaliation in order to obtain or retain employment.

“I applaud Governor J.B. Pritzker for signing this bill into law and allowing more protections for employees who work in settings that may contain additional risks,” said Moylan. “This legislation takes an important step forward by making the workplace safer for everyone.”

Senate Bill 75 was passed by both the Illinois House and Senate and was signed into law by Pritzker last Friday, Aug. 9.