Attorney General Raoul’s Legislation Strengthening His Office’s Ability To Defend Workplace Rights Headed To Governor’s Desk

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul applauded the Illinois Senate’s passage of his legislation to support his office’s efforts to combat workplace rights violations.

House Bill 4725, sponsored by Sen. Omar Aquino, was approved with bipartisan support and will now go to the governor for approval.

“The Workplace Rights Bureau in the Attorney General’s office has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of Illinois workers. This measure will enhance our ability to investigate and prosecute potential violations of the laws that protect working people around Illinois,” Raoul said. “I appreciate Senator Aquino’s sponsorship of this legislation and his efforts to protect the rights of workers in Illinois.”

“Illinois workers power our economy, sustain critical industries and push our communities forward,” said Aquino. “They deserve a system that demands accountability and delivers justice efficiently and fairly. Our Attorney General has done incredible work defending the rights of workers across Illinois, and this effort is an important step toward streamlining that process to better support the needs of workers and businesses.”

Attorney General Raoul’s Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances the employment rights of all Illinois residents, particularly the state’s most vulnerable residents and immigrant populations. The bureau investigates and litigates cases involving serious or persistent wage law violations or other significant employment practices. Over the last year, the Attorney General’s office has recovered more than $15 million for Illinois workers.

However, some bad actors exploit procedural gaps to evade accountability, stall investigations, and force the bureau into lengthy and expensive court battles to access basic records. Currently, the bureau lacks standard investigative tools, common to other agencies, that would assist in resolving investigations. Raoul’s proposed measure will help ensure that the Workplace Rights Bureau has the necessary tools to defend workers’ rights and a level playing field for law-abiding businesses.

The legislation will:

• Clarify the jurisdiction of the Workplace Rights Bureau.
• Streamline the subpoena process to prevent stalling practices and expensive court battles.
• Grant the Workplace Rights Bureau the same investigative tools as the Illinois Department of Labor and the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor, including the ability to conduct confidential interviews conducted at worksites.
• Create penalties for employers who intentionally destroy evidence or refuse to comply with the law.

Attorney General Raoul encourages workers who have concerns about an employer’s potentially unlawful practices to visit the office’s website to file a complaint online.

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