Illinois Domestic Workers Claim Victory in 5-Year Campaign


​Decades after the passage of the 1938 federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which excluded domestic workers and was mimicked by many states, including Illinois, Gov. Rauner signed House Bill 1288 into law on August 12, granting Illinois domestic workers the same protections that other workers have had for generations.

After a five year campaign by the Illinois Domestic Workers Coalition, Illinois home cleaners, nannies, and home care workers will now have basic workplace protections under state law.

The new law, sponsored by Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-8th District) in the Senate, and Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-24th District) in the House, gives nannies, housecleaners, home care workers, and other domestic workers the same employment protections that workers in other industries have by amending four state laws that currently exclude domestic workers. This includes the Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the One Day of Rest in Seven Act, and the Wages of Women and Minors Act.

The new law will ensure that all domestic workers receive the state minimum wage, protection against sexual harassment, as well as a day of rest for workers employed by one employer for at least 20 hours a week.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights will correct past failings amending the following existing laws to INCLUDE Domestic Workers:
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  • IL Minimum Wage Law
  • IL One Day Rest in Seven Act
  • IL Human Rights Act
  • IL Wages of Women and Minors Act
The Domestic Workers Coalition seeks to pass a Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights in Illinois to ensure that domestic workers - those who care for our homes, our children, the disabled, and the elderly - are given the respect, dignity, and protection they deserve as equal members of our state's workforce.
 

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