Hoffman Measure to Protect Workers Signed by Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A measure passed by State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, that would hold employers that avoid workers’ compensation responsibilities accountable was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

“Some jobs are just more dangerous than others. Workers that perform their duties in hazardous working conditions deserve to be protected by their employers in the scenario that they are injured on their jobsite,” said Hoffman. “Employers that subject workers to dangerous work environments should be held to a higher standard. My legislation will prevent shady contractors and other businesses from making workers unknowingly work without workers compensation insurance.”

Hoffman led the fight to pass House Bill 269, which passed both the Illinois House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Hoffman’s plan comes in response to black market landscaping companies operating under the radar without workers compensation insurance, putting injured workers at risk of not receiving compensation.

House Bill 269 will slap business that operate without workers compensation insurance with harsh financial penalties by streamlining the enforcement, hearing and penalty process for the Workers’ Compensation Commission. Hoffman’s measure has been backed by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the State Conference of IBEWs and the Laborers.

 

“I have been a continued advocate for labor, working families and job creation throughout the Metro East and state as a whole,” continued Hoffman. “I want to thank the Governor for signing this commonsense legislation into law, and moving Illinois a step forward for workers’ rights.”