Costa Howard-Backed Initiative to Create Worker Protection Unit Sent to Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Recently passed legislation supported by state Rep. Terra Costa Howard, D-Glen Ellyn, that would create the Worker Protection Task Force and institute a new watchdog unit under the Illinois Attorney General has been sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker for consideration.

“I took my experiences as a small business owner to the Capitol, and I have worked to pass legislation that will bring more good jobs and economic activity to Illinois,” said Costa Howard. “As new jobs are created, we must make sure that employees throughout our state are protected from abusive work conditions, wage theft, and discriminatory hiring and employment practices.”

Costa Howard passed Senate Bill 161, which will create the Worker Protection Unit in the office of the Illinois Attorney General. This new unit will focus on investigations into allegations of unsafe working conditions, non-payment of wages, and unfair and discriminatory hiring and employment practices by Illinois companies. The bill also creates a task force that will lead a statewide outreach and enforcement effort to target businesses that violate Illinois worker protection laws.

Costa Howard’s measure passed both the Illinois House and Senate with sweeping bipartisan support and has been sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk to be signed into law.

“Illinois workers deserve fair employment practices, safe working conditions, and protection from wage theft,” Costa Howard said. “When dishonest employers ignore the law, they harm their own workers and gain an unfair advantage over their law-abiding competitors. By creating a watchdog unit under the Illinois Attorney General, we can act on behalf of workers and hold employers accountable.”