In a late session last night, the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation to safeguard workers' wages by a 46 to 2 margin. Sponsored by Senator William Delgado (D-2), SB3568 now goes to Governor Quinn's desk. The Governor has supported the legislation which cracks down on employers who steal their workers' wages and is highly likely to sign the bill into law.
 

Last night's vote reflects the need to address the rising tide of wage-theft--employers not paying workers for their labor--throughout Illinois. A study released by the University of Illinois-Chicago several weeks ago found that workers are losing $7.3 million in wages every week due to wage-theft (www.urbaneconomy.org). “The bill will not only help workers keep their homes and pay their bills, but it will bring in millions of dollars of unreported income taxes at a time when our state in is fiscal crisis,” said Baldemar Lopez, Legislative Director for the Just Pay for All Coalition, a community-led initiative composed of worker leaders, wage theft victims, community groups, and labor unions.
 

ust Pay for All began as a result of workers' frustrations with the Wage Payment and Collection Act, a law which they believe has failed to deter unscrupulous employers from not paying wages. Dozens of workers mobilized to Springfield to educate the legislature about the gravity and impact of wage theft throughout all sectors and all communities. Senator William Delgado (D-2) led the effort in the Senate where he passed the bill with a 56-0 vote back in March. Representative Lisa Hernandez (D-24) pushed the bill through the House with a 112 to 1 vote. Last night, the Senate concurred with the House version, finalizing the triumph for
workers across the state. (click on link to read full story)