Employers face higher penalties for underpaying workers under new Illinois law
That’s the new penalty Illinois employers face if they violate the Wage Payment and Collection Act.
This frequently happens when workers file complaints after receiving no payment or an amount lower than their wage. Many of these employees are low-wage workers who struggle to object to wage theft.
The Illinois Department of Labor can then issue a finding the employer violated the state statute.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law Friday making employers liable for unpaid wages, final compensation, and 5% of the damages of underpayment per month. Illinois employers previously owed 2% of the damages from underpayment.