Labor & Employment Law Update for Business Owners, HR & In-House Counsel | Amundsen Davis Attorneys: Amundsen Davis

New Illinois Law Expands Attorney General Powers to Investigate Employers

John R. Hayes — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:00:01 -0400

On July 31, 2026, Governor Pritzker signed new legislation greatly expanding the already-broad investigatory powers of the Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General’s Office (“OAG”). Effective January 1, 2027, the law authorizes the OAG to investigate supposed violations of Illinois employment law and creates penalties for employers that do not comply. In essence this signals yet another move by Illinois to dispense with the fundamental due process rights of employers.

Missouri Employers Face New Military Leave and Reemployment Obligations Under House Bill 2593

Timm W. Schowalter — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:02 -0400

Missouri employers will soon face expanded military leave and reemployment obligations following Governor Mike Kehoe’s signing of House Bill 2593 on July 9, 2026. The new law goes into effect beginning August 28, 2026, potentially opening up new litigation exposure for noncompliance.

What the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Slaughter Decision Means for the NLRB, the EEOC, and Employers

Laura M. Leahy — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:03 -0400

On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court overruled a 91-year-old precedent and held that the president may remove the heads of independent federal agencies at will. While the decision does not change any labor or employment laws, it could change who controls the agencies that enforce them. For employers, that means greater uncertainty and potentially more dramatic shifts in enforcement.

Illinois Expands Project Labor Agreement Requirements for Renewable Energy Projects

Jeffrey A. Risch — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 09:00:04 -0400

Illinois’s renewable energy landscape shifted significantly in January 2026 with the enactment of the Illinois Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act (CRGA). Among the law’s provisions, a major expansion of project labor agreement (PLA) requirements stands out for developers, EPCs, investors, and contractors. As PLA mandates continue to broaden across Illinois’s renewable energy market, early assessment and strategic planning will be critical to managing project risk and avoiding costly surprises.

EEOC Rescinds Affirmative Action Guidance: What Employers Need to Know About Title VII, DEI Programs, and Compliance Risks

Laura M. Leahy — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 09:00:05 -0400

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) formally rescinded the federal guidance employers have relied on for nearly 50 years when designing voluntary affirmative action plans under Title VII. In a June 29 vote, the EEOC voted to rescind the two documents that provide a long-standing roadmap for employers.

Hiring Your First Out-Of-State Employee? Watch for These Compliance Risks

Aaron J. Graf — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 09:00:06 -0400

Hiring your first out-of-state employee can introduce a complex web of local and state employment laws that may differ dramatically from those you already follow. From paid leave requirements and pay transparency laws to non-compete restrictions and city-specific ordinances, multi-state employment compliance can quickly become a challenge for unprepared employers.

U.S. House Passes Bill to Fast-Track Initial Union Contracts

Michael F. Hughes — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:07 -0400

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would place strict deadlines for employers and newly certified unions to reach a first collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The bill, which garnered some bi-partisan support to pass the GOP-led House, would potentially place the terms of such initial collective bargaining agreements in the hands of federal arbitrators, instead of being negotiated to conclusion by the parties.

Chicago and Cook County Minimum Wage Increases Take Effect July 1: Employer Compliance Updates

Kevin Kleine — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 09:00:08 -0400

Employers with operations in Chicago and Cook County should prepare for local minimum wage increases effective July 1, 2026, along with related notice, posting, and compliance obligations. While the Illinois statewide minimum wage remains unchanged, Chicago and Cook County will implement higher local rates that apply based on employer size and location.

New DOJ Opinion Changes Hiring Discrimination Rules for U.S. Employers

Julie A. Proscia — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:00:09 -0400

A new legal opinion from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reshaping how employment discrimination claims based on unequal outcomes may be handled. On June 9, 2026, the U.S. DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel issued a formal legal opinion concluding that the EEOC's approach to disparate-impact liability is unconstitutional. While this theory of discrimination still exists, the opinion narrows it and raises the bar for employees who bring these claims. As a result, employers may have increased flexibility in using common hiring tools such as criminal background checks and aptitude tests without fear that they could face discrimination claims—but it does not make intentional discrimination any less illegal.

New EEOC Enforcement Plan Immediately Reshapes Employer Compliance Risks

Laura M. Leahy — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:00:10 -0400

On June 4, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a new National Enforcement Plan (NEP), effective immediately, replacing the Biden-era Strategic Enforcement Plan. The NEP realigns federal enforcement around the current administration’s priorities and signals a significant shift in how workplace discrimination claims will be investigated and litigated. For employers, the change reshapes where federal risk will change and diverge from state law obligations.