Bill > HB3774

This bill amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and enhance protections for employees seeking unpaid wages. The bill increases administrative fees that employers must pay when they are found to owe wages, with fee amounts ranging from $500 to $1,250 depending on the amount of unpaid wages. It expands the Department of Labor's ability to collect unpaid wages by allowing final administrative decisions to be treated as state debts that can be collected using various legal remedies. The bill also clarifies and strengthens penalties for employers who willfully refuse to pay wages, with potential criminal consequences ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the amount owed and frequency of violations. Additionally, the bill provides more robust protections against retaliation for employees who file wage claims and allows for the accrual of damages and penalties during administrative proceedings. The legislation introduces a new provision specifying that procedural changes to the law will be applied retroactively, while substantive changes will be applied prospectively, with changes to legal remedies considered procedural in nature. These modifications aim to more effectively combat wage theft and ensure workers receive timely and full compensation for their labor.

Business and Industry

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=3774&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104