Is Sexual Harassment Training Required for IL Trade Unions?

 Posted on June 27, 2025 in Sexual Harassment

In 2024, union members accounted for 13.1 percent of wage and salary workers in Illinois, compared with 12.8 percent in 2023. The union membership rate for Illinois reached its peak in 1993, at 21 percent, and its lowest point in 2023. Across the nation, union members accounted for about 9.9 percent of employed wage and salary workers in 2024. Illinois union membership rates are generally higher than the U.S. average.

On March 21, 2025, a partisan bill (HB1465) was introduced that would require trade unions in the state to provide the same level of sexual harassment prevention training to their workers as all other businesses in Illinois are required to do. Trade unions providing sexual harassment prevention training would be required to use the program created by the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR), provide  sexual harassment prevention training at least once a year to all workers, and maintain a log that indicates each worker’s annual training status.

Trade union workers would not be required to participate in sexual harassment prevention training every time they are hired for a new job if the worker has already participated in such a program during the calendar year. If you have questions regarding sexual harassment prevention training requirements, speaking to a knowledgeable Wheaton, IL sexual harassment attorney is the best course of action.  

What is a Trade Union?

A trade union is an organization made up of members who are primarily workers. The goal of trade unions is to protect and advance the interests of their members in the workplace. While most trade unions are independent of employers, they do generally attempt to develop working relationships with employers, often in the form of a partnership agreement between the employer and the trade union. This agreement outlines the common objectives shared by the trade union and the employer. Trade unions do the following:

• Provide education for workers
• Provide certain consumer benefits, such as insurance
• Negotiate agreements with the employers regarding work conditions and pay
• Provide union members with financial and legal advice
• Discuss the concerns of members with employers
• Discuss major changes to the workplace with employers
• Accompany union members in grievance and disciplinary meetings

Illinois Sexual Harassment Training Laws

The Illinois Workplace Transparency Act became effective on January 1, 2020. The Act was designed to protect employees, consultants, and contractors who truthfully report alleged unlawful discrimination, harassment, or criminal conduct in the workplace. The Act also requires all Illinois employers to provide sexual harassment training to their employees annually. This requirement extends to both the public and private sectors.

The sexual harassment training includes providing definitions and examples of sexual harassment, a summary of relevant federal and state laws pertaining to sexual harassment, reporting procedures and responsibilities, and all employees must participate in the training annually. The use of IDHR’s model training or a compliant alternative is required of all businesses participating in annual sexual harassment training. If the bill passes, all Illinois trade unions would be required to provide the same training as companies that are not unionized.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Sexual Harassment Lawyer

Those who are a part of a union should ask their superiors about whether sexual harassment prevention training will be provided. If you are the victim of sexual harassment, whether in a union job or a non-union job, it can be beneficial to speak to a Wheaton, IL sexual harassment lawyer from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC. Our attorneys are experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate. Call MKFM Law at 630-665-7300 to schedule your initial attorney meeting.