HB 5088

Abstract

Creates the Wage Theft Act. Provides that any employer and its officers who knowingly withhold wages from an employee in the State and refuses to compensate the employee for the wages the employee earned shall be deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense of wage theft and a Class 4 felony for subsequent offenses and shall be listed on the Department of Labor's website. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that in any county or municipality that requires a building permit, a notice with information on workers' rights under the Wage Theft Act and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act shall be included with the building permit applicant to post at the construction site. Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there shall be created a Wage Theft Enforcement Fund that will allow any employee who has filed a complaint against an employer that the Department of Labor determines to be insolvent to be entitled to receive a full pay period's worth of wages and interest from the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund. Provides that the Department of Labor shall make available to the public on its website a list of the employers and their officers and agents found guilty of violating the Act and the Wage Theft Act. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund.