Savine Employment Law Blog

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By: Savine Employment Law, Ltd.

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gary savine
irene savine

Latest from Savine Employment Law Blog

ICE Raids, National Guard Troops, and Chicago Employers: Why This Isn’t Just a California Story

This weekend, something changed.

President Trump bypassed California’s governor and ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles following protests that erupted after a federal immigration raid in the city’s garment district. It was the kind of muscular, symbolic move his administration thrives on: dramatic, polarizing, and full of implications for other sanctuary cities like Chicago.

If you’re running a business here, you should be paying close attention.

Not Just a Border State Problem Anymore

For years, immigration enforcement was seen as a risk mainly…
Continue Reading ICE Raids: How Illinois Businesses Can Protect Themselves

Chicago Employers: Get Ready for Minimum Wage and Fair Workweek Changes On July 1, 2025

Chicago remains one of the most regulation-heavy cities in the country when it comes to employment law. For employers, staying compliant isn’t optional—it’s mission-critical.

Two significant legal updates take effect on July 1, 2025, and they’ll impact everything from payroll to scheduling protocols. Here’s what you need to know.

Minimum Wage Increases Across the Board
Effective July 1, 2025, Chicago’s minimum wage will increase under the city’s Minimum Wage Ordinance:

  • The standard minimum wage will rise to $16.60 per hour.
  • For youth and

…
Continue Reading Minimum Wage and Fair Workweek Changes

Confidentiality Has a Shelf Life Now: What Illinois Employers Need to Know About Amendments to the Workplace Transparency Act 
 

 

Don’t Let Legal Changes Trip You Up! Our Workplace Law Ready program will keep your business up to date.

If you rely on standard confidentiality, arbitration, or severance language in your employment agreements, it’s time to take a closer look.A new bill—HB 3638—has passed both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly and is expected to be signed into law soon. It makes substantial changes to the Workplace Transparency Act, expanding employee rights and tightening the rules…
Continue Reading Amendments to the Workplace Transparency Act 

“Your employee handbook probably won’t get you sued. But it won’t protect you either.”
Most handbooks are written to survive a courtroom—not to help managers manage. They’re packed with vague rules, legal disclaimers, and boilerplate language that might check a compliance box but don’t actually help anyone navigate the gray areas of real life at work.  Watch the video below and learn more about our  Workplace Law Ready package to fix this gap. It’s not just about compliance on paper. It’s about practical protection. We deliver legally sound policies written in plain English, live legal training for managers, and…
Continue Reading The Policy Illusion: Why Your Employee Handbook Isn’t Protecting You

15 Minutes That Could Shift How You Lead
When you’re scaling fast, legal shouldn’t just be a line item — it should be a lever. Yet too often, employment law gets brought in after a risk shows up, rather than before momentum stalls.
That’s why we’re inviting growth-focused leaders — CEOs, COOs, CFOs — to a power-packed 15-minute webinar:
Wednesday, May 21 at 12:00 PM CT
“The C-Suite Guide to Partnering with Your Employment Lawyer”

What You’ll Learn in 15 Minutes:

  • Why Legal Deserves a Seat at the Strategy TableNot just in emergencies — but in budget planning, workforce strategy,

…
Continue Reading How to Make Your Employment Lawyer a Strategic Growth Partner

Our latest employment law webinars for Illinois businesses are now available through our website!  View our latest series, “Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business” and our 2024 “Do It NOW! Employment Law Compliance” series at no cost with registration.  Our “good as live” replays allow viewers to submit questions, receive materials and request SHRM credit!
All of our webinars are hosted by our firm’s principal and founder, Gary Savine.  Topics we’ve covered in our recent and past employment law webinars include, but are definitely not limited to:

  • How to choose an employment lawyer to make your business more profitable

…
Continue Reading Employment Law Webinars

A Webinar To Help Your Business Learn About The Right Resources For Employment Law Compliance
Many business owners try to handle employment law issues themselves—until it backfires: 

  • Costly compliance mistakes leading to lawsuits 
  • DIY contracts that fail to protect your business 
  • Unnecessary legal risks that could have been avoided 

Thinking you’ve “got it covered” can be a dangerous trap. The truth? Employment law isn’t a DIY project. 
Join us for Session 3 of our Employment Law & Compliance Webinar Series, “Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business”: 
Date: Wednesday, March 19th
Time: 12:00pm CT
Location: Live Online | Live…
Continue Reading DIY Employment Law WILL Hurt You!

Staying compliant with labor laws is a top priority for HR professionals, but keeping up with constant legislative changes can be overwhelming. Illinois has introduced several significant labor law updates for 2025 that directly affect hiring practices, wage compliance, workplace policies, and employee rights. For HR professionals, it’s crucial to stay ahead of these changes to avoid costly legal issues. 
Key Illinois Labor Law Updates for 2025 And What You Can Do NOW To Stay Compliant!
Illinois has strengthened worker protections, and HR professionals need to adapt to these updates to ensure compliance and minimize risks. Here’s a breakdown of…
Continue Reading Illinois Labor Law Updates for 2025: What HR Professionals Need to Know

Our 2025 Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business webinar series aimed at helping businesses understand how employment lawyers benefit the companies and organizations they serve kicked off the start of the new year.  This month, we’re delving into  “How to Choose an Employment Lawyer To Make Your Business More Profitable” on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 12:00 p.m. Central.
The right employment lawyer is more than just a safeguard against lawsuits—they can be a strategic asset to your business. From minimizing compliance risks to improving workplace policies, a skilled employment lawyer helps your company or organization avoid costly missteps while creating a…
Continue Reading How To Choose An Employment Lawyer To Make Your Business More Profitable

Businesses Can Use Employment Law To Create And Safeguard Growth – Find Out How In Our 2025 Webinar Series!
If partnering with your employment lawyer to grow your business isn’t on your list of new year’s resolution, Savine Employment Law, Ltd. thinks it should be and we’re starting off the year with a new webinar series to tell you how.  We’re focusing all of our regularly scheduled webinars on achieving business growth by partnering with your employment lawyer this year. 
Join us live on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 12:00 p.m. Central for our first webinar of 2025, “Why …
Continue Reading Employment Lawyers Grow Your Business!

New Presidential Order On Ending Affirmative Action Programs and Challenging Business’s D.E.I. and D.E.I.A. Programs
Attention Employers: Major Changes in Federal Civil Rights Enforcement Are Here, Join Our Webinar
On January 21, 2025, a new presidential order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit Based Opportunity” was issued, marking a groundbreaking shift in federal civil rights enforcement. This order claims that it “aims to eliminate illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunities across all sectors, not just for federal contractors.”  Practically speaking, it targets for potential legal attack the private sector employment practices that the government has mandated for decades, requiring…
Continue Reading Do It NOW! Webinar: Navigating The New Presidential Order On Affirmative Action And DEI Programs

Take Advantage Of End Of Year Pricing Now Until Dec. 31st 2024!

Workplace Law Boot Camp Launches January 23 – Register Now!
Is your New Year’s resolution to get your business’s employment law compliance into shape? There’s no better way to start than by joining the next cohort of our Illinois Workplace Law Boot Camp.
If you’ve watched our Do It NOW! Webinars, you know we care deeply about employment law compliance. We’ve developed a following of Illinois business and HR leaders who count on us for perspective and direction on the latest developments in employment law every month.
Continue Reading Sign Up For Our Workplace Law Bootcamp

There are only TWO WEEKS before Illinois workplace laws change!  It’s NOT TOO LATE to learn what you can do to get your organization into compliance with NEW Illinois employment laws for 2025!  To help you get it done NOW, we are running ENCORE presentations of our popular (and practical) end-of-year webinars with Gary Savine, principal and founder of Savine Employment Law, Ltd. until midnight on December 31, 2024.  Watch now through the links below and receive a special offer for our January Workplace Law Bootcamp!

…
Continue Reading It’s Not Too Late To Build Workplace Compliance For 2025!

Join Our Latest Do It NOW! Webinar: Illinois Business’s Top 10 To-Dos for 2025
Employment law compliance in just 15 minutes? Yes, it can be done!
Join us on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 12:00 pm CT
This webinar will be our last “DO IT NOW!” webinar of 2024!  As always, our webinar is SHRM credit eligible!
Click here to register. 
What To Expect:
This month, we’ll provide your business with the Top Ten To Dos to get your employment law compliance in gear for 2025!  You’ll learn how to be the MVP of your organization (like our furry friend…
Continue Reading Master Employment Law Compliance

Stay Ahead of Employment Law Changes: Join Our “DO IT NOW!” Webinar
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s crucial for Illinois employers to stay updated on the most significant employment law changes of the year. To help you navigate these updates, we’re excited to announce our latest “DO IT NOW!” webinar.
Webinar Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2024
  • Time: 12:00 PM CT
  • Duration: 90 minutes

During this comprehensive webinar, our experienced attorneys will provide an end-of-year summary of the most important employment law changes of 2024. You’ll gain valuable insights into the latest developments and receive practical advice…
Continue Reading Year-End Wrap Up DO IT NOW! Webinar