-Source-Chicago Tribune-
Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law two measures approved by lawmakers aimed at responding, in part, to a growing anti-sexual harassment movement in the public and private workplace.
One new law bans members of the General Assembly from using any public funds, including their member office allowances, as “hush money” to keep someone silent as part of a settlement or regarding an allegation or investigation into sexual harassment that they allegedly committed.
“We shouldn’t need a law to state the obvious: Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t be used as hush money,” state Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, said in a statement.
“Now it is crystal clear under law that there is zero tolerance for sexual harassment in Illinois, particularly when it’s funded by the taxpayers,” said Cullerton, who was a Senate sponsor of the bill.
A second new law requires at least one hour of sexual harassment prevention training for professions licensed by the state that require continuing education. The law will apply to license renewals starting Jan. 1, 2020. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is in charge of rules to develop the program. Read more
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