New State Law Would Protect Immigrants Who Report Unsafe Work Conditions, Officials Say

CHICAGO — A new state bill would protect employees from immigration-related threats when speaking out against workers rights’ violations.

The Illinois Work Without Fear Act — House Bill 361 — would fill gaps in Illinois employment law to ensure companies can be punished if they retaliate against workers by calling immigration officials or making other immigration-related threats when the workers report violations, state leaders and policy experts said.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and state Rep. Lilian Jiménez were joined by members of workers rights’ groups Arise Chicago, Raise the Floor Alliance and United Workers Center to announce the bill Monday morning.