SPRINGFIELD — A law sponsored by State Senator Ram Villivalam expands the list of documents an employee can request from their employer and the manner in which they can request them, to ensure workplace transparency.

“Continuing to support workers and their rights within the workplace is important,” said Villivalam (D-Chicago). “This law ensures there are continued improvements within the workplace that benefit those who need it.”

Villivalam’s law expands the list of documents an employee can request, which include documents used to determine qualification of employment, contracts that are legally binding to the employee, handbooks, and any written employer policies or procedures.

The law also clarifies how an employee can request such records specifying that a written request includes any electronic communications such as an email or text message.

“Ensuring our workers have access to documents that pertain to them is a key step toward improving transparency by now being able to request documents such as ones determining their qualification for employment,” said Villivalam. “This law also furthers the commitment to protecting workers’ rights by clarifying how they can request such records, and now includes electronic communication such as an email.”

House Bill 3763 was signed into law on Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.