SPRINGFIELD – Thanks to a law sponsored by State Senator Mike Halpin, nearly $400,000 in back wages for workers have been secured.

“Skipping out on paying hard working Illinoisans for the wages they earned is completely unacceptable,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “I am glad to see this legislation paying back dividends, but we have to remain vigilant and ensure our workers are being compensated in a timely and fair manner.”

The secured back wages are, in part, a result of Senator Halpin’s Senate Bill 1344 passed last year. This law provides that any contractor or subcontractor, who the Department of Labor finds has failed to file the certified payroll for any public works project, is subject to a civil penalty. The fine would be payable to the Department of Labor, of up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $2,000 for a second or subsequent offense no more than five years after the first offense.

The legislation allows the Illinois Department of Labor to file a verified petition against the contractor or subcontractor to enforce the final administrative decision and to collect any amounts due in the circuit court of any county where an office of IDOL is located.

“If a contractor thinks they can get away with stealing wages in Illinois, they’re wrong,” said Halpin. “Folks are already dealing with an affordability crisis. Working class people should be paid every penny they are owed for their work so they can support their families.”

Halpin remains committed to supporting working laborers and their families in Western Illinois and across the state.