How Have Changes to Illinois Law Affected Non-Compete Agreements?

 Posted on February 11, 2022 in DuPage County Business Law Attorney

Many businesses rely on non-compete agreements to ensure that employees or former employees cannot use a company’s trade secrets or other protected information to engage in unfair competition. These agreements may be included in employment contracts, severance agreements, or other types of contracts, and they may prohibit a person from working for a direct competitor, starting a competing business, or engaging in other competitive activities within a certain geographical area and during a specific time period. However, a recent change to the laws in Illinois may affect a business’s ability to use non-compete agreements in the future. To ensure that they are following the applicable laws, a company can work with a business law attorney to create valid and enforceable non-compete agreements whenever appropriate.

Restrictions on New Non-Compete Agreements

The Illinois Freedom to Work Act was amended in 2021, and the changes went into effect on January 1, 2022. Certain restrictions will apply to non-compete agreements that are created or updated after this date. These restrictions include:

• Employers can only enter into non-compete agreements with employees that earn more than $75,000 per year. This limit will be increased to $80,000 in 2027, and it will increase by an additional $5,000 in 2032 and 2037.
• Non-compete agreements are prohibited altogether for people employed in the construction industry or other workers who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. However, this prohibition does not apply to employees who primarily perform functions related to management, engineering, architectural design, or sales.
• Employees must receive adequate consideration in return for entering into a non-compete agreement. Consideration may include wages or benefits, bonuses, severance pay, or other forms of compensation. If an employee works for an employer for at least two years after signing a non-compete agreement, this will be considered adequate consideration.
• To be valid, a non-compete agreement must be necessary to protect an employer’s legitimate business interests. To determine whether the restrictions included in a non-compete agreement are appropriate, multiple factors may be considered, including an employee’s understanding of an employer’s relationships with customers and other employees, an employee’s knowledge of trade secrets or other confidential information, and whether restrictions on when and where an employee can work will be reasonable.
• Employers are required to advise employees in writing that they should consult with a lawyer before signing a non-compete agreement. Employers must also allow an employee at least 14 days to consider a non-compete agreement before employment begins or before the agreement must be signed.

Contact Our Wheaton Non-Compete Agreement Lawyers

If you believe that non-compete agreements are necessary to protect your business’s interests, you will need to make sure your agreements are in compliance with Illinois law. At Stock, Carlson & Asso. LLC, we can advise you of your rights and the restrictions that may apply to your business, and we will work to draft and negotiate non-compete agreements and other types of contracts that will provide you with the protections you need. Contact our DuPage County business contract attorneys at 630-665-2500 to set up a confidential consultation and learn how we can assist with your legal needs.

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3737&ChapterID=68

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/illinois-imposes-new-limits-on-non-1014524/