Pro-labor laws will improve lives for millions of Illinois workers

President of the Illinois AFL-CIO, Tim Drea, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to talk about some of the pro-labor legislation passed during this legislative session. Drea specifically discussed legislation about paid leave for all, new temp worker protections and outlawing wage theft.

Over the last four years as leader of the Illinois AFL-CIO, Drea has helped lobby the Illinois government in support of many pro-labor bills. The labor-friendly Illinois government passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act in March 2023, after being initially introduced shortly after the pandemic began. This bill will ensure that every worker earns one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked. In one calendar year, this bill guarantees every full-time worker 40 hours of paid leave with no questions asked, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Drea said.

Over 980,000 Illinois residents are working as a temporary worker in 2022, according to the American Staffing Association. To assist these workers, Illinois passed the Temp Worker Fairness and Safety Act, providing protections for temp workers. Among these protections, the temp workers received a much-needed $4 per hour pay raise, ensuring these workers get equal pay for equal work, Drea said. Also, the bill will require employers to either hire or let go a temp worker following 90 days of work, preventing the continued practice of employing temporary workers indefinitely without hiring them full-time.

To put a bow on 2023, the Illinois AFL-CIO worked with state officials to formally outlaw wage theft for freelance workers. When businesses and law enforcement can prosecute shoplifters, but wage theft is not penalized nearly as thoroughly, Drea said there is a problem. The wage theft bill increases the fines for wage theft and provides the state Labor Department more power to enforce the penalties for wage theft. While singling out freelance workers, the protections extend to all workers and ensure they all receive the same common-sense protections, Drea said.

Hear more from Drea by listening to the entire episode above.