# Illinois HB5377: WORK ALWAYS PAYS ACT

Illinois HB5377, WORK ALWAYS PAYS ACT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by Regan Deering (Republican); status in committee, last action 2026-02-10 (Referred to Rules Committee) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5377-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois HB5377
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: WORK ALWAYS PAYS ACT
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-02-06
- Last action: 2026-02-10, Referred to Rules Committee
- Sponsor: Regan Deering (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Creates the Work Always Pays Act. Provide that a State-administered benefit program shall not reduce benefits by more than $0.50 for each $1.00 increase in a household's earned income. If an increase in earned income results in a reduction of net household resources compared to the level in effect immediately prior to the increase, then the household shall be eligible for a bridge credit. Provides that the amount of the bridge credit shall equal the difference between: (i) the household's net household resources immediately prior to the increase in earned income; and (ii) the household's net household resources after the increase in earned income and corresponding benefit adjustments. Provides that a household that experiences an increase in earned income shall be subject to a 90-day earnings buffer period. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2027.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Regan Deering (Republican), House

## Actions (3)

- 2026-02-10: Referred to Rules Committee (House)
- 2026-02-10: First Reading (House)
- 2026-02-06: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Regan Deering (House)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB5377.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB5377.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5377-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).