Moylan Expands Protections For Essential Workers

DES PLAINES, Ill. – In an effort to provide safe working conditions for essential workers amidst the COVID-19 crisis, state Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, recently passed legislation which extends the period that employees must be paid while recovering from an injury sustained during the pandemic, and increases the penalties for assaulting essential workers.

“The essential workers of our state are out on the front lines everyday providing critical services which support the community and are entitled to safe working conditions,” Moylan said. “They have earned the right to these protections and continued financial support when they are physically incapable of returning to work.”

The Moylan-supported Senate Bill 471 extends the period which an employer must continue to pay their employees while they are recovering from a physical injury sustained during the pandemic by an additional 60 days. Additionally, the legislation will create harsher consequences for anyone who attacks essential workers in an effort to dissuade any such actions. Any assault on an essential worker while they are performing their duties will be classified as aggravated battery under this new legislation.

“We need to have the backs of these workers, because they have had ours throughout this crisis,” Moylan said. “We owe the grocers, pharmacists, first responders and all the other essential workers of our communities our sincere gratitude and staunch support during these troubled times.”

To stay up to date with the state’s response to COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.illinois.gov. For questions or assistance concerning state issues, legislation or district matters, please contact Moylan’s full-time constituent office at 847-635-6821 or email StateRepMoylan@gmail.com.