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SB 3183

WORKER PROTECTION UNIT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Omar Aquino and 11 co-sponsors

Illinois bill creates a dedicated Worker Protection Unit to investigate wage theft, labor law violations, and workplace exploitation with expanded enforcement powers.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3183

Legislative bill overview

SB 3183 establishes a Worker Protection Unit within Illinois state government to investigate and enforce labor law violations, worker exploitation, and wage theft. The bill creates dedicated resources and authority to address workplace violations that have historically received limited enforcement attention.

Why is this important

Workers in precarious employment situations—undocumented immigrants, day laborers, domestic workers—often cannot access traditional legal remedies for wage theft and exploitation due to fear of retaliation or deportation. A dedicated enforcement unit could recover unpaid wages and deter labor violations across industries. Illinois loses substantial tax revenue and sees unfair competition when employers systematically violate labor standards.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Small and mid-sized employers may face increased regulatory scrutiny and potential fines, raising concerns about administrative burden and operational costs
  • Scope of authority: Ambiguity about jurisdiction overlap with existing Department of Labor enforcement, federal DOL authority, and whether the unit can pursue civil/criminal penalties independently
  • Funding and staffing: Unclear how the unit will be funded and whether resources will match the enforcement ambitions, potentially creating an underfunded mandate

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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