In a significant move to bolster workers' rights against employer retaliation, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at strengthening existing protections for employees. The bill, known as House Bill (HB) 5561, seeks to fill the gaps in labor enforcement that leave many workers vulnerable when they report employer misconduct or exercise their rights, reports the Illinois Attorney General's office.
Under the bold initiative, HB 5561 aims to protect a wider range of employee activities, including whistleblowing on illegal activities directly to employers, “Currently, workers who want to assert their basic workplace rights risk losing their livelihood and ability to provide for themselves and their families. For some immigrant workers, asserting their rights means risking their ability to remain in the United States,” Raoul said, highlighting the precarious position these workers often find themselves in. The proposed legislation also broadens the notion of what constitutes employer retaliation, to now include aggressive tactics such as blacklisting and immigration-related threats.
The Attorney General's office would gain explicit legal authority to take employers to court for retaliatory or intimidatory actions against their employees, providing a much-needed enforcement mechanism to hold unscrupulous employers accountable. This measure passed the House’s Judiciary Civil-Committee just this Wednesday.
Assistant Majority Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr., expressed his support for the bill, "I introduced HB 5561 to ensure workers are protected from retaliatory action, and empowered to stand up when illegal or unsafe practices occur in the workplace," he explained, underscoring the bill's purpose. With the backing of other legislators, Evans and Raoul appear to be on a mission to pave the way for substantial workplace reform in Illinois.
The Illinois Attorney General's office continues its commitment to protect and advance the employment rights of all state residents, especially those in the most vulnerable sectors and immigrant populations. For those facing unjust practices by employers, a hotline has been established at 1-844-740-5076 and they can also visit the Attorney General’s website to file a complaint.
