HB 5071 Illinois House · 103rd Regular Session

WORK WITHOUT FEAR ACT

Summary
Creates the Work Without Fear Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to engage in, or to direct another person to engage in, immigration-related retaliation against any person or his or her family member or household member for the purpose of, or with the effect of, retaliating against any person for exercising any right protected under State employment laws or by any local employment ordinance. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Allows the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action to obtain appropriate relief if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent any person from making complaint or prosecuting his or her own claim for damages caused by retaliation. Allows a person who is the subject of retaliation prohibited by the Act to bring a civil action for: (1) back pay, with interest, and front pay, or, in lieu of actual damages, liquidated damages of $30,000; (2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000; (3) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; and (4) equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just. Provides that a person that violates any provision of the Act shall be subject to an additional civil penalty in an amount of $25,000 for each violation, or $50,000 for each repeat violation within a 5-year period. Sets forth license suspension penalties for violations of the Act. Effective January 1, 2025.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 8, 2024 Last action Apr 5, 2024
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
35
Key actions
0
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 5, 2024
Committee
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 4, 2024
Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
lower
Apr 4, 2024
Introduced
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
lower
Feb 28, 2024
Committee
Assigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
lower
Feb 8, 2024
Committee
Referred to Rules Committee
lower
1 primary · 23 co-sponsors

Sponsors