IllinoisHB4725104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

WORKER PROTECTION UNIT

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Attorney General Act. Provides that, prior to initiating an action, the Attorney General shall conduct an investigation and, in addition to other powers, may: (1) issue subpoenas for documents; (2) require written answers under oath to written interrogatories; (3) inspect the premises of an employer and inspect and make copies of employment-related records kept at the premises; and (4) conduct interviews with workers at an employer's premises during normal business or working hours. Sets forth additional provisions concerning investigations; interviews; subpoenas; obstruction; and search warrants.

executiveassignmentsjudiciary

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Workers gain stronger labor-law enforcement

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office now has a Worker Protection Unit to enforce state labor laws, including wage and workplace safety laws. After a court finds a violation, the Attorney General can seek restitution, state damages, civil penalties, and court orders to stop violations. Penalties cannot exceed the limit set by law. The state and an affected person cannot collect money more than once for the same violation.

Employers face new investigation duties

The Attorney General can require records, sworn answers, and workplace inspections during labor-law investigations. Employers must make reasonable efforts to cooperate, and employees can be interviewed confidentially. Employers can have a lawyer present, challenge subpoenas in court, and refuse access to nonpublic areas unless a judge issues a warrant. A warrant generally must be used and returned within 10 days, and cannot gather evidence for an ongoing criminal investigation. Knowingly hiding or changing subpoenaed documents to obstruct compliance is a Class A misdemeanor. When asked, the Department of Labor must provide related enforcement records it already has.

More government records stay private

Records gathered by the Attorney General under this law are generally exempt from public disclosure. Voluntary interview participants and other people who provide information receive confidential-informer protections. The law also carries many existing privacy protections into the state’s public-records rules, including protections for health, student, personnel, law-enforcement, and business records. Automatic license plate reader information held by state police and expressway camera images are exempt, but the license plate reader exemption ends July 1, 2028. Some law enforcement agencies can receive protected records only after agreeing in writing to limit access.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jay Hoffman

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Edly-Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Porfirio

    Democratic • Senate

  • Omar Aquino

    Democratic • Senate

  • Theresa Mah

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 46

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 43 • No: 14 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Judiciary;

Yes: 7 • No: 2

House vote • 4/16/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 79 • No: 23

House vote • 4/16/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Executive Committee;

Yes: 7 • No: 4

House vote • 3/25/2026

Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Executive Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0676

    7/31/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    7/31/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    7/31/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/18/2026House
  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    6/1/2026Senate
  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    6/1/2026Senate
  7. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

    5/31/2026Senate
  8. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio

    5/31/2026Senate
  9. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    5/31/2026Senate
  10. Passed Both Houses

    5/20/2026House
  11. Third Reading - Passed; 043-014-001

    5/20/2026Senate
  12. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026

    5/14/2026Senate
  13. Second Reading

    5/14/2026Senate
  14. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 7, 2026

    5/6/2026Senate
  15. Do Pass Judiciary; 007-002-000

    5/6/2026Senate
  16. Assigned to Judiciary

    4/28/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Assignments

    4/21/2026Senate
  18. First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  19. Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino

    4/21/2026Senate
  20. Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading

    4/21/2026Senate
  21. Arrive in Senate

    4/21/2026Senate
  22. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled

    4/16/2026House
  23. Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 079-023-000

    4/16/2026House
  24. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate

    4/16/2026House
  25. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted

    4/16/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • House Amendment 3

  • Introduced

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