IDOL Newsletter

Equal Pay Report

A new report from the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR), released in December, examines pay equity trends in Illinois using data collected under the 2021 amendments to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. The report finds that while Illinois has made meaningful progress toward gender pay equity in many sectors, significant disparities in pay persist—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage sectors. The Department may use the recommendations and data to guide enforcement and to help employers build fairer, more equitable workplaces. The full report, Illinois Equal Pay Act: Comprehensive Evaluation and Policy Recommendations (2021–2023), is available through the PMCR at go.illinois.edu/PMCR. Join us for an upcoming Equal Pay Report Seminar on February 26 or March 26. More details here.

Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) Amendment

Effective January 1, an amendment to VESSA ensures employees are not penalized for using work-issued devices to document instances of violence committed against themselves or their family. Additionally, an employer must grant an employee access to any digital documents or communications stored on a work device relating to recorded instances of violence, and the employer cannot discriminate or retaliate against an employee for creating such a recording. These amendments add to VESSA’s goal of creating job protections for workers experiencing violence. More information on worker rights under VESSA can be found here.

Strengthening Firefighter Safety Training

IDOL’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (IL OSHA) and the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) have expanded their partnership to improve firefighter safety through on-demand, experience-based training. Their newest course, focused on the 2021 Ridge Incident that claimed the life of Lt. Garrett Ramos, uses real audio and video to teach lessons learned and strategies to prevent similar tragedies. Available through IFSI’s virtual campus, the training emphasizes practical tactics for enhancing operational safety, situational awareness, and command decision-making for firefighters at all levels.

Notice Posters

Ahead of the new year, IDOL updated two required workplace posters: Your Rights Under Illinois Employment Laws and the Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) poster. These updates reflect the recently enacted amendment to VESSA. All Illinois employers are required to display both posters. They can be found here.

New Complaint Page

We’ve made changes to the “File a Complaint” page on our website to provide clearer navigation and instructions, making it easier for workers to locate the correct complaint form for their issue. The revised page includes detailed guidance on required information, such as employer details, dates of the incident, and supporting documentation, ensuring submissions are complete and accurate.

IDOL’s Chicago Office Relocation

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) relocated its Chicago office to the Jesse White State of Illinois Building at 115 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60603. All other Chicago phone numbers and contact information for the Illinois Department of Labor remain the same following the move.

Outreach and Education

If you would like us to join your next event, please email Elizabeth.Guerrero@Illinois.gov.

Click here for links to IDOL websites & social media

As summer comes to a close and we transition into fall, IDOL is grateful for your continued engagement and interest. We hope you find these updates informative. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

Child Labor Law and School

School is back in session and that means the working hours are limited for teenagers with a job. This means that teens under 16 are prohibited from work before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m.. Additionally, workers under 16-years-old are required to have an employment certificate before their first day of work. Questions about Child Labor Law? Give us a call at (312) 793-5570.

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety

The Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division (ARAS) wrapped up a successful state fair season with events in Springfield and DuQuoin. Between the two fairs, more than 90 rides were inspected by six inspectors, the chief ride inspector, and the division manager. In addition to the initial inspection, the Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety team also completed follow up inspections on all rides and attractions at the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair. Both state fairs had zero injury-causing incidents. ARAS inspectors are now inspecting and permitting haunted houses ahead of spooky season.

Labor Day Report

IDOL published its annual Labor Day Report. The fourth annual edition highlights the work IDOL does every day, including wage recovery, protecting child workers, and promoting workplace safety. One highlight from the 2025 report is with the Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit (IRMU). IRMU works to proactively resolve wage claims under $500. Since its inception in October 2024, the unit has resolved more than 460 cases and recovered more than $47,500.

Outreach and Education

This summer, IDOL has made significant progress in community engagement through an extensive outreach effort that delivered labor rights education directly to communities across Illinois. By participating in over 20 events statewide, we've connected with hundreds of community members, providing them with essential information about workplace rights and empowering them with knowledge they can use in their daily lives. From neighborhood events and community organization partnerships to tabling at consulates, we continue our dedicated outreach to ensure all Illinoisans have access to vital information about their rights in the workplace. If you would like us to join your next event, please email Elizabeth.Guerrero@Illinois.gov.

IDOL Publishes Prevailing Wage Rates

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has released the 2025 prevailing wage rates for construction trades for all counties in the State. The updated rates, which took effect Tuesday, July 15, are the result of IDOL’s annual statewide survey conducted under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. Each June, IDOL determines the prevailing wage rates by reviewing compensation—defined as hourly base pay plus annualized fringe benefits—commonly paid to workers performing similar jobs on public works in each locality.

Spring is here and summer will arrive before we know it. Thanks for checking in with IDOL and subscribing to our newsletter. Below is a look at what’s happening with the Department.

Child Labor Law and Summer Jobs

Summer is almost here and that means teenagers will be looking for a summer job. IDOL regulates employment of workers under 16-years-old, protecting children by: requiring an employment certificate; prohibiting work in hazardous occupations; prohibiting work in a place of business where alcohol is served or sold for consumption on site, and in places where alcohol is brewed, distilled and/or bottled; and limiting working hours: child workers are prohibited from working before 7 a.m. and after 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day. Child Labor Information: (312) 793-5570

Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety

Summer is also time for visiting carnivals, fairs and amusement parks. Under Illinois law, all rides must be insured, inspected, and meet applicable safety standards before they are allowed to operate. To be inspected, every owner must first submit a completed application packet to IDOL. Once a ride or attraction has been approved for operation by an inspector, a permit decal is affixed to each ride or attraction. You can see an example decal here.

IDOL Produces 2024 Apprenticeship Report

Warmer months also mean busy season for public works construction and infrastructure projects. Did you know that pursuant to the Construction Minority and Female Building Trades Act (30 ILCS 577), IDOL collects data regarding the race, gender, ethnicity, and national origin of apprentices in the construction industry throughout Illinois? The findings from this year’s survey show a small but significant increase in the number of female and African-American apprentices, both of which ticked up by 1% from 2023 to 2024. A link to the full report can be found here.

Leave Rights Division

The Leave Rights Division enforces four laws that give Illinois workers rights to paid and unpaid time away from work: the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act, Employee Sick Leave Act, Family Bereavement Leave Act, and the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA). There’s new and updated information in the FAQ for each law enforced, and a new recording of the PLAWA “What Employers Should Know” webinar has been uploaded to our website. If you would like a presentation for your organization, contact Lydia Colunga-Merchant at lydia.colungamerchant@illinois.gov.

Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit Proactive Resolution Project

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit’s (IRMU) proactive resolution project attempts to resolve wage claims for amounts under $250. Eligible complaints were identified during wage claim process and referred to the IRMU for proactive resolution. The project’s goal was to speed up the resolution of low dollar claims, get money to workers faster, and help employers save the time and resources of litigation. In the last three months of 2024, the team collected nearly $20,000 on over 275 claims where the complainant alleged that he or she was owed $250 or less.

Happy New Year! Thank you for reading IDOL’s first newsletter of 2025 featuring important updates to labor laws that you should know about. We are committed to keeping you informed as we navigate the year ahead together.

Equal Pay Act Pay Transparency

The Pay Transparency amendment to the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 requires an employer to include pay scale and benefit information in job postings if the employer has more than 15 employees. When an employer makes an external job posting, the employer must also announce, post, or otherwise make known to all current employees all opportunities for promotion within 14 days. The Department has received over 250 complaints since the amendments took effect on January 1, 2025. For more information visit our website: Pay Transparency.

Child Labor Law of 2024

Governor Pritzker signed into law the Child Labor Law of 2024 with the goal of protecting minors from labor exploitation. The legislation modernized the child labor law and provided a structure for youth workers to engage in safe, age-appropriate work, while protecting their health and access to education. The bill sets standards for working conditions for children aged 15 and younger, including limiting hours of work and updating the list of jobs that minors cannot hold.

Minimum Wage

The Minimum Wage is now $15 per hour, $9 for tipped employees, and $13 for workers under 18.

Pay Stubs

Under PA 103-0953, employers are required to provide pay stubs to employees each pay period. The pay stubs must include hours worked, pay rates, overtime pay, and deductions from wages.

E-Verify

Employers in Illinois may choose to use the federal E-Verify system to check employment eligibility. However, employers using E-Verify should be aware that they must comply with certain training, posting, and verification requirements. Illinois law prohibits employers from using E-Verify to prescreen job applicants that have not been offered a position with the company. An employee or applicant for employment who believes that their rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Department under the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act and employers are prohibited from taking any adverse action against an individual for filing such a complaint.

One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA)

The One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA) provides employees with the right to a day of rest per week, as well as meal and rest breaks. The Illinois General Assembly recently amended ODRISA by adding anti-retaliation protections for employees who exercise a right provided by the Act, with an associated penalty provision consistent with the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and the Paid Leave for All Workers Act; and codified that penalties assessed by the Department under the Act may be recovered in a civil action, during which the Department is represented by the Attorney General.

Outreach and Engagement

IDOL prioritizes community outreach to promote compliance and foster meaningful connections with workers and employers across the state. Last year, IDOL hosted or partnered on over 100 events, workshops and webinars aimed at educating workers on their labor rights and employers on compliance, reaching more than 8,000 people. These efforts could not have been achieved without your partnership, and we are looking forward to our collaboration this year. If you are interested in collaborating or hosting an event with IDOL please reach out to Elizabeth.Guerrero@Illinois.Gov.

Equal Pay Act Salary Transparency

An amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003, which requires employers with 15 or more employees to include a pay scale and benefits for a position in any job posting, takes effect January 1, 2025. The goal of the legislation is to provide greater transparency to workers in the hiring process by providing them with more information about wages, salary and benefits. When violations of the law are reported to IDOL, the Department will contact the employer and provide a date by which the job posting, if still active, must be fixed. Failure to correct a posting will result in penalties.

Annual Prevailing Wage Rates Survey

Each year in June, IDOL surveys the wage rates for each craft and trade in every county. IDOL then establishes and posts the updated prevailing wage rates, by construction trade, for each county in July. The new prevailing rate schedule is available here. By requiring that local prevailing wages are paid on public works construction and infrastructure projects, the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act helps ensure that Illinois' tax dollars are re-invested back into Illinois' workforce and spent in Illinois' economy.

Labor Day Report 2024

The annual Labor Day Report is a glimpse of the work performed by IDOL staff for workers in Illinois. From recovering unpaid wages to advocating for workers who have lost their jobs, the report highlights many of the laws enforced by the agency, as well as the Department’s outreach and education initiatives to reach the communities where the Department's resources are needed most. Read it here.

New Mediation Unit at IDOL

The Department is proud to be unveiling a new unit that will be used to mediate and informally resolve disputes, which has been a long-term goal. Initially the new mediation unit will handle claims under the Freelance Worker Protection Act, but the Department plans to begin referring other types of claims for voluntary mediation as the unit gets up and running. 

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Welcome to the Illinois Department of Labor’s inaugural newsletter!

The mission of the Department is to protect and promote the wages, welfare, working conditions, and safety of Illinois workers by enforcing State labor and employment laws, providing compliance assistance to employers, and increasing public awareness of workplace protections.

Whether you are an employer, HR professional, government partner, policymaker, advocate, or just someone who wants to know more about their rights at work, this newsletter is intended to be a resource for information about the Department and the more than two dozen workplace laws we enforce.

New Laws & Regulations

• Paid Leave for All Workers Act took effect January 1st
• Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act took effect January 1st
• Amendments to the Victims’ Economic Security & Safety Act took effect January 1st
• Freelance Worker Protection Act takes effect July 1st
• Salary Transparency amendments to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 take effect January 1, 2025

New Leave Rights Division

• The Leave Rights Division was established in January 2024 to implement and enforce the new Paid Leave for All Workers Act and several other laws that give employees the right to take unpaid job-protected leave for the illness or loss of a family member. You can find more information about these laws under the “Laws and Rules” tab of the Department’s website.
• If you have questions about the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, you can email us at DOL.PaidLeave@illinois.gov. For questions about the Family Bereavement Leave Act, the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act, and the Employee Sick Leave Act, you can email us at DOL.LeaveRights@illinois.gov.
• To learn more about the new Paid Leave Law please register for a paid leave webinar.

Equal Pay Reporting

The State's Equal Pay Act was amended a few years ago to require private businesses with over 100 employees to file payroll data with the Department every two years in order to obtain an Equal Pay Registratioon certificate. Thousands of businesses have completedfe their reporting and submission in the initial two-year reporting cycle. 

Illinois On-Site Consultation Program

The Illinois On-Site Safety and Consultation Program offers free and confidential safety and health consultations to small- and medium-sized businesses. This Spring, On-Site joined federal OSHA to conduct workplace safety trainings to the construction workers at the future site of the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Library site is being built under a private-state-and federal partnership program to ensure top-tier worker health and safety. For more information or to request a consultation, visit our IL On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program website or check out our Small Business Safety and Health Handbook, available in English and Spanish, featuring self-inspection checklists to help employers identify and address workplace hazards.

Summer Carnival Safety

The Amusement Ride and Attraction Safety Division has been busy inspecting everything from Six Flags to ropes courses to traveling amusement shows for the season. All rides must pass inspection and meet applicable operation standards before they are allowed to operate in Illinois. Look for the IDOL inspection sticker when you are out enjoying amusement attractions with friends and family!

Updated Mobile-Friendly Wage Claim Forms

The Department's largest volume of complaints is for unpaid wages. Wage claimns filed year over year (2022 vs 2023) increased by 25% and nearly 1,100 wage claims were received in the first two months of 2024. In response, the Department has worked to update and streamline wage claims processes and recently engaged with DocuSign to create online, mobile-friendly wage claim complaint forms. Access complaint forms here.