March 17, 2025 -- U.S. Supreme Court to Hear UI Case
On March 14, 2024, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision affirming the commission’s decision that Catholic Charities and related sub-entities, which provide job training, food service, and other support to elderly individuals and people with disabilities, are not exempt from participation in the UI program because, although they are controlled or supervised by a church, they are not operated primarily for religious purposes. Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. LIRC, 2024 WI 13, 411 Wis.2d 1, 3 N.W.3d 666. In arriving at that conclusion, the Court examined the motivations and the activities of the organization and concluded that, while the motivation may be religious, the activities are primarily secular. In reaching its decision, the Court addressed and rejected a First Amendment challenge raised by Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that the decision raised constitutional issues. The U.S. Supreme Court has accepted the case, and oral argument will be held on March 31, 2025.
July 25, 2022 -- LIRC Amended Rules
LIRC has amended its rules effective August 1, 2022. A link to the new rule can be found here: Chapter LIRC 1.
December 9, 2021 -- LIRC Notice of Hearing
LIRC announces that it will hold a public hearing on a permanent rule revising chs. LIRC 1 to 4 relating to the commission's rules of procedure. The date, time, and instructions for attending the hearing can be found on the Notice of Hearing. The proposed order is here.
November 22, 2021 -- LIRC Rule Update
LIRC is the process of updating its rules to reflect address changes and law changes since the last revision in 2006. The rule order scope statement approved by Governor Evers on July 29, 2021, and the proposed changes are here.
Comments on the proposed changes are welcome. Please direct any comments to LIRC@wisconsin.gov.