Blurb about why Forefront rocks, caption for photo

Forefront monitors local policy proposals primarily to defend against regulatory changes that are unfavorable to the sector’s ability to partner with local governments to support community well-being. Periodically, the policy team engages more closely with local governments on key efforts (i.e., a complete Census count) in which cross-sector collaboration is vital. Forefront works closely with our philanthropic and nonprofit members and our Policy Committee to develop and/or identify local proposals that significantly impact our sector.

For more information, contact our team at [email protected].

Jump to: Pending Items • Related Resources

Recent Action

Chicago Lobbying and Ethics Rules: Chicago has unique regulations for anyone that lobbies the City of Chicago, including nonprofits. If you lobby the City of Chicago, please review our summary of Lobbying Rules for detailed information about maintaining compliance. In 2023, Forefront actively negotiated with the City of Chicago Ethics Committee and Chicago Board of Ethics to clarify the City’s Lobbying rules for nonprofits. A recent ordinance, O2023-2937, was passed in December 2023 that makes important reforms. Additional resources on this change can be seen below:
- Forefront’s analysis of this ordinance and its impact on Chicago nonprofits can be found here.
- A Q&A developed by City of Chicago staff can be found here.
- Ethics Committee hearing on 12/11/23
- Forefront Oral testimony at Ethics Committee hearing
- Forefront Written testimony at Ethics Committee hearing
Paid Leave: The City Council has passed a compromise ordinance for paid leave (O2023-2980). This ordinance will add to the required paid leave for employees, from the requirement of 5 days of sick leave per year to also requiring one hour of PTO for every 35 hours worked (which is approximately 15 days per year for a full time employee). It will also add other requirements for paid leave policies, such as allowing PTO to be carried over across years, requiring PTO to be paid out if an employee leaves their job, and expanding the requirements to cover all employers, not just medium and large employers. It is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2024, but additional revisions are expected soon.
Human Services Workforce Advancement Ordinance: The Chicago City Council recently enacted the Human Services Workforce Advancement Agreement (SO2019-9497.pdf). Forefront submitted testimony opposing this ordinance, based on feedback from stakeholders, and will work with impacted stakeholders stay informed about next steps. The enacted did not contain a religious exemption but did exempt hospitals; it requires licensed essential services providers with City contracts that have 20+ employees to establish a labor peace agreement or collective bargaining agreement as a condition of contracting with the City. Similar proposals are pending at the State level; watch for related updates. Please send questions to the policy team at [email protected].

Related Resources

City of Chicago
City of Chicago Governmental Ethics Ordinance
Chicago Recovery Plan
City of Chicago Amendment Sexual Harassment Rules for Employers
Cook County
Engage Cook County
Forefront’s summary of Changes to Lobbying Rules in Illinois (2022)
Cook County – Office of the President: Racial Equity
Advocates for Local Governments – Illinois Municipal League, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
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