Enforcement Has Begun - Illinois Food Handler Certification

All establishments serving food in Illinois must have their employees that handle food complete an Illinois Food Handler Certification course.  As of January 1, 2015, the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act is in effect and being enforced by Public Health Inspectors. All employees that handle food, food equipment, or food utensils, must be certified by an accredited program within 30 days of hire.  See 410 ILCS 625/1, et seq.  .  Illinois Public Health Inspectors have already begun citing establishments for failing to have certified employees, and the fine is $250/violation. Businesses are required to maintain records of certification, and the certifications must be renewed every three years.  

The Illinois Restaurant Association is providing courses to those that need certification - please visit http://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/?page=FoodSafetyChangesHdl

Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation Act Now In Effect!

The Pregnancy Accommodation Act went into effect in Illinois on January 1, 2015.  The statute protects women who are pregnant or have recently given birth from violations in the workplace in six general areas:

1. Failing to make requested reasonable accommodations that pose no undue hardship to the employer;

2. Denying employment to pregnant applicants;

3. Taking adverse action based on the need to create reasonable accommodations;

4. Forcing pregnant women to accept unrequested accommodations;

5. Forcing leave if reasonable accommodations can be provided for; and

6. Failing to reinstate the employee to an original or equivalent position, pay, seniority, and benefits

The Act applies to pregnant women, those who have recently given childbirth, and those with medical or common conditions related to pregnancy.  The statute has a requirement that the employer post information about the Act along with the other required notices.

The poster can be found here: http://www2.illinois.gov/dhr/Publications/Pages/Pregnancy_Rights_Notice_Requirement.aspx

If you have any questions regarding the statute, its effect, or how to comply with it, please contact me.

Article Featured in Bar Business Magazine

A full article is printed on page 25 of this month's Bar Business Magazine, my article entitled "Time & Money, Is a Wage & Hour Class Action Secretly on Your Menu" is featured in the How To Section. 

http://issuu.com/barbusinessmagazine/docs/january_2015_bar_business/1

Congress Introduces Bill to Lower Tax Burden on Craft Brewers

A bill was recently introduced in Congress that would substantially reduce the tax burden on small and craft brewers that produce less than 6 million barrels of beer in a calendar year.  Currently, the TTB taxes all barrels at the rate of $18/barrel. The proposed amendment would lower the tax to $3.50 for the first 60,000 qualified barrels, and then to $16 for 1,940,000 barrels.  The first 2 million barrels would be taxed at the substantially reduced rate. The bill was introduced by bipartisan members of Congress who admitted that the federal excise taxes are outdated and put a substantial burden on small brewers.  The hope is that the tax relief will help the continued expansion of the craft brewery boom and help the small businesses add jobs and grow.


The text of the proposed bill can be found here: http://paulsen.house.gov/uploads/Small%20BREW%20ACT3.pdf