The Last Outpost of Common Sense

Major Update: Illinois 80 degree temperature ‘Work Stop’ Law.

This spring Chicago Democrats introduced Illinois House Bill 3762, the Workplace Extreme Temperature Safety Act. The new law could stop work for anyone who works outside in the summer months if the heat index exceeded 80 degrees.

Farmers, construction workers, road workers, etc…could all be affected if it passed.

The Latest: The bill has stalled…. for now. May 31st was the deadline to pass the bill in the Illinois house and Illinois Senate. The legislation was ‘not’ called up for a vote, which means Illinoisans who are employed in temperatures over 80 degrees this summer will be able to continue to work and earn an income this summer.

Watch out: The 80 degree Temperature law is not dead yet, as the legislation could be called up for for a vote in the fall veto session in Springfield in October.

Background on the law: the legislation would require Illinois workers to be provided more protections from excessive temperatures. The bill deals with temperature thresholds—such as a heat index. The problem is the law could lead to widespread work refusals, potentially disrupting the local economy for months. The law is is sponsored Rep. Edgar González Jr, D-Chicago.

Perspective from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The organization says the bill’s record-keeping requirements are too demanding, especially for small businesses. Employers would be required to maintain detailed safety plans, training records, and procedures for at least three years.