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92_SB0062gms
State of Illinois
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Springfield, Illinois 62706
George H. Ryan
GOVERNOR
July 18, 2001
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois Senate
92nd General Assembly
Today, I am approving Senate Bill 62, a bill which I
believe will strengthen communication between Illinois'
workers and business owners.
Senate Bill 62 staturorily establishes the State of
Illinois Department of Employment Security's role in
promoting employers' responsibilities related to potential
plant closings.
The federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
Act--commonly known as the WARN Act--requires an employer of
100 or more workers to give a minimum sixty-day "WARN notice"
anytime that employer reduces his workforce by fifty workers
or more. It seems only fair that workers have some advance
notice that their jobs are being eliminated and my
administration strongly supports the WARN Act.
While the vast majority of employers in Illinois comply
with the WARN Act, from time to time an employer doesn't
follow the rules, and unnecessary consternation and confusion
results. Additionally, when WARN notices are not filed with
the State of Illinois, our Rapid Response Unit, a unit within
the Department of Employment Security, is hindered in its
effort to provide immediate services to the affected
workers--identifying training and retraining services that
help increase the likelihood that workers will find new jobs
sooner rather than later.
I believe those employers violating the WARN Act do so
more out of lack of knowledge than anything else. Under the
provisions of Senate Bill 62, the Department of Employment
Security will send annual reminders to employers of 100 or
more (almost 7,000 statewide) reminding them of the Act's
requirements. I am confident this legislation will help
eliminate whatever confusion exists, and assure our workers
have sufficient information on which to make decisions
affecting themselves and their families.
Senate Bill 62 is a reasoned approach to helping assure
that when major employers close their doors, workers know it,
and know their options. It is with pride that I affix my
signature and approve Senate Bill 62.
Sincerely,
George H. Ryan
GOVERNOR