Covid-19 vaccinations as a condition of employment

 The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said this week employers can require their employees to get COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of going to work. The guidelines, which were published Wednesday, also say an employee can decline because of a disability or religious beliefs. In these cases, employers must offer reasonable accommodations, such as working remotely. Previous guidance from the EEOC said employers can require flu vaccines, as long as employees can seek an exemption for medical reasons under the Americans with Disabilities Act or for religious reasons under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  #covid-19vaccinations, #covid-19vaccinatinsasaconditionofemployment,

Proper Attire For Zoom Court

 A Florida judge is reminding lawyers appearing in remote court hearings through Zoom that they should not dress like they are poolside.

Nor should the lawyers remain in bed during the hearings, according to Judge Dennis Bailey of Broward County, who posted his sartorial recommendations to the website of the Weston Bar Association.

The Miami Herald and Local10.com have stories.

“It is remarkable how many attorneys appear inappropriately on camera,” Bailey wrote. “We’ve seen many lawyers in casual shirts and blouses, with no concern for ill-grooming, in bedrooms with the master bed in the background, etc. One male lawyer appeared shirtless and one female attorney appeared still in bed, still under the covers. And putting on a beach cover-up won’t cover up you’re poolside in a bathing suit. So, please, if you don’t mind, let’s treat court hearings as court hearings, whether Zooming or not.”

Bailey also warned that court hearings hosted on Zoom take additional prep work. Exhibits intended to be introduced into evidence have to be provided in advance to the court and opposing counsels. Third-party witnesses who can’t appear on camera to be sworn in by a judge have to have a notary at their location to verify identification and oath. #zoomcourthearings,

Illinois College Savings Account

 Beginning January 1, 2021, every child born or adopted in Illinois will get $50 deposited in their college savings account or 529 plan. That deposit is part of a new law, which introduces the Illinois Higher Education Program. Financial experts say the cost to attend college keeps going up five to six percent every year, so state legislators hope this law will combat those rising college tuition prices. Lawmakers hope it will also remind parents to contribute to their child’s college fund starting at birth. #collegefundforillinoischildren,

Illinois Minimum Wage

 For the third time since 2020, minimum wage workers in Illinois are getting a raise. ... Under the new law, the minimum wage will increase to $11 per hour on January 1, 2021. That amount will continue to expand on an annual basis until it reaches $15 per hour on January 1, 2025. #minimunwage, #2021newlaw,

Illinois Medicaid

 Medicaid is a jointly funded state and Federal government program that pays for medical assistance services. Medicaid pays for medical assistance for eligible children, parents and caretakers of children, pregnant women, persons who are disabled, blind or 65 years of age or older, those who were formerly in foster care services, and adults aged 19-64 who are not receiving Medicare coverage and who are not the parent or caretaker relative of a minor child.

Primary services funded through Medicaid are physician, hospital and long term care. Additional coverage includes drugs, medical equipment and transportation, family planning, laboratory tests, x-rays and other medical services. #medicaid,

Adoption

 Adoption establishes you as a child's legal parent with all the rights and responsibilities of a child born to you. Once a child is adopted, DCFS is no longer involved in or responsible for the care, supervision or custody of the child. As an adoptive parent, you assume all rights and responsibilities to make important decisions for your child, including the right to consent to major medical care and treatment, to marriage, to enlistment in the armed services. Adoption is permanent and lifelong, and is only possible when the birth parents have voluntarily given up their parental rights or their rights are terminated by the court. #adoption,