Illinois Human Rights Act Amendments

Illinois business consulting

There were three key changes to the Illinois Human Rights Act, effective January 1, 2020. The three key changes are as follows:

Expanded prohibition of harassment and discrimination
Requires employers to report on adverse judgments and settlements
Requires employers to provide annual sexual harassment training
1. Specifics of sexual harassment training requirements
  1. Model training program by IDHR will be available at no cost
  2. Training must include:
    1. Explanation of sexual harassment
    2. Examples of conduct that constitutes unlawful sexual harassment
    3. Summary of relevant state and federal laws prohibiting sexual harassment and the remedies for violations of those laws
    4. Summary of the employer’s responsibility to prevent, investigate, and correct sexual harassment
  3. Complete training before December 31, 2020 and each year thereafter

Below are more in-depth explanations of these changes.

The first change was to expand the prohibition of harassment and discrimination for unwelcome conduct based on “actual” or “perceived,” the change was adding “perceived.” In addition, this now protects contractors and consultants.

The second one requires employers to annually report on adverse judgements and settlements, in other words disclose all reports of discrimination and harassment to IDHR. These disclosures are now required, and employers will need to provide at least 5 years of settlement agreements to IDHR. In these reports, the victim cannot be identified.

The third change is employers are required to provide annual sexual harassment training and there are additional training requirements for restaurants and bars. All employees (new hires, fulltime, temp, part time, and interns) will need annual training. The employer will need to keep track of employees that went through the training. In person training is not required but is recommended; it can be a computer-based training. Employers do not need to provide training to their contractors working for them. There will be additional training requirements for the bar and restaurant industry. A few examples are, training must be in English and Spanish, written sexual harassment policy must be provided within the first week of employment, etc.

Additional information on Minimum Standards for Policy on Sexual Harassment Prevention for Restaurants and Bars can be found by clicking here.

Click here for an FAQ on Sexual Harassment Prevention from the Illinois Government.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

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