Illinois · House Bill 5572 · 103rd General Assembly

EMPLOYEE FREEDOM OF SPEECH

  1. Introduced Feb 9, 2024
  2. In committee Feb 9, 2024
  3. Died  
  4. Passed the Senate  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law  

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to…

Read the full title (212 words)

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters; (2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive or listen to communications; or (3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of the Act. Provides for a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the Act, an employer shall post and keep posted a notice of employee rights under the Act where employee notices are customarily placed. Provides for exceptions under the Act.

Every action

22 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 14 earlier steps
  1. HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
  2. HouseFirst Reading
  3. CommitteeReferred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  4. CommitteeAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee · House Judiciary - Civil
  5. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
  6. HouseRemove Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.
  7. CommitteeRe-assigned to Labor & Commerce Committee · House Labor & Commerce
  8. CommitteeDo Pass / Short Debate Labor & Commerce Committee; 018-006-000 · House Labor & Commerce
  9. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Matt Hanson
  10. HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  11. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
  12. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
  13. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez
  14. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
  1. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sue Scherer
  2. HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jay Hoffman
  3. HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  4. HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
  5. CommitteeRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee · House Rules
  6. HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
  7. HouseRemoved Co-Sponsor Rep. La Shawn K. Ford
  8. HouseSession Sine Die

Roll calls

1 recorded vote: 0 on the floor, 1 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Committee votes

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 7 cosponsors: 7 Democrats.

All 7 cosponsors

From Illinois's official records (www.ilga.gov), checked Nov 13, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.