DECEMBER 2024  13 
in job postings as well as limiting or 
banning the use of wage or com­
pensation history in making hiring 
or wage decisions.  He reviewed the 
amendments which lowered the 
threshold to employers with 15 or 
more employees to include the pay 
scale and benefits in job postings.  He 
concluded with some best practices 
and review of some of the most fre­
quently asked questions.  
	
The next update Jeff provided 
us with was an Overview of Federal 
Developments. He noted the ban­
ning of captive audience meetings 
by the NLRB.  He reviewed other 
changes by the NLRB, including the 
narrowing of the right of employer 
to discipline employees who engage 
in offensive conduct.  He discussed 
the EEOC’s new guidance on the 
Pregnancy Workplace Fairness Act, 
as well as Gender Identity issues.  He 
then talked about some laws that 
have been invalidated, including the 
FTC’s Non-compete ban, the De­
partment of Labor’s Overtime Salary 
Rule, and the NLRB’s 2023 Joint 
Employer Rule. 
	
A new topic for the New Laws 
Forum was a dive into Artificial 
Intelligence and Legal Implications 
for HR.  Jeff talked about the multiple 
ways AI is being used for recruitment 
and talent acquisition as well as on­
Ashley Trost and Mary Felder were panelists for the discussion on 
how the unique employment laws in Illinois affect their business.
Kassandra Silva of Michael Best joined Jeff Risch on stage for the first session of the 
day to discuss Illinois employment law updates. 
boarding and training.  He reviewed 
the EEOC and DOJ joint guidance 
on AI, and some challenges to watch.  
He finished with some best practices 
for HR professionals.  
	
Jeff then discussed key 2024 case 
law updates and how they will affect 
businesses in Illinois.  He talked 
about things to watch for as these 
cases conclude.  
	
The final session of the day was 
a panel discussion on Navigating 
Through the Unique Employment 
Laws. 
	
Two panelists joined Jeff Risch 
on stage. 
	
Ashley Trost, Director of People 
and Culture for Gallagher Asphalt 
Corporation. Ashley functions as 
an HR department of one, facilitates 
leadership training and development 
and oversees the company’s mar­
keting and communications depart­
ment.  
	
Mary Felder is the Vice President 
of Human Resources at Midwest Re­
frigerated Services, having been with 
the company since December 2020. 
	
The group talked about their 
company culture for retaining em­
ployees, finding, and recruiting new 
employees, using AI in their organi­
zations, and their biggest concerns 
for HR in 2025 and beyond. Ashley 
and Mary provided some great 
insight on their biggest challenges in 
their own industries, as well as those 
that apply to all businesses in Illinois. 
	
The event ended with final 
networking opportunities and door 
prizes! We want to thank our event 
sponsors, Amundsen Davis LLC, and 
a special thank you to everyone who 
was able to make this event. Without 
you all, this wouldn’t be possible. 
	
The 12th Annual New Laws 
Forum will return in December 2025.
Every year, a 
multitude of changes 
occur for the Illinois 
business community, 
including both state 
and federal updates. 
This year was no 
exception ... 

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