Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB 2477

Provides that the Act may be referred to as the COVID-19 Small Business Relief Act. Creates the COVID-19 Immunity Act. Provides that an employer shall not be liable in a civil action claiming an injury from exposure or potential exposure to COVID-19 if the act or omission alleged to violate a duty of care of the employer was in compliance or consistent with guidance applicable at the time of the alleged exposure. Creates the COVID-19 Business Operation Compliance Act. Provides that a qualified employer may lawfully operate his or her business in the State by adhering to any health and safety guidance that is in place during a time when there is a COVID-19-related public health emergency. Creates the Temporary Employment Tort Moratorium Act. Provides that any lawsuit against a small business for wrongful termination that occurred in the calendar years of 2020 or 2021 shall be stayed until January 1, 2022. Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that the Governor's 30 days of emergency powers shall not be extended, renewed, or successively issued by any subsequent disaster proclamations for the same disaster. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a county board, board of county commissioners, or a city council may waive any fees or costs associated with a business license or registration required by law to operate a place of business upon a demonstration of financial hardship at any point in a tax year in which the county board has declared a local disaster related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. Provides that for an annual administrative fee not to exceed $5, an employer subject to the payment of contributions may pay its quarterly contributions due for wages paid during the first 3 quarters of a calendar year in equal installments. Provides that the Director of the Department of Employment Security may establish a temporary unemployment tax holiday for the purposes of providing temporary tax payment relief to an eligible employer in the State. Allows for the development and implementation of an unemployment benefits claims-processing and contribution-management model pilot program that is operated by a responsible private entity or administrator. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Date	Chamber	Action
1/10/2023	House	Session Sine Die

Date	Chamber	Action
2/17/2021	House	Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Deanne M. Mazzochi
2/19/2021	House	First Reading
2/19/2021	House	Referred to Rules Committee
3/9/2021	House	Assigned to Executive Committee
3/27/2021	House	Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
8/24/2021	House	Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tom Weber
9/30/2021	House	Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Joe Sosnowski
1/10/2023	House	Session Sine Die