IL HB0118

Increases monthly damages for unpaid wages from 2% to 5% of the underpayment amount for each month wages remain unpaid following the payment due date.

Establishes criminal penalties for willful wage theft: Class B misdemeanor for unpaid wages of $5,000 or less, Class A misdemeanor for amounts over $5,000, and Class 4 felony for subsequent violations within 2 years.

Creates non-waivable administrative fees payable to the Department of Labor: $250 for wages owed of $3,000 or less, $500 for $3,000-$9,999, and $1,000 for $10,000 or more.

Imposes additional penalties for late payment after a demand or court order: 20% penalty to the Department of Labor and 1% daily penalty to the employee for each day of delay beyond 15 days for Department demands or 35 days for court orders.

Creates the Wage Theft Enforcement Fund from collected fees and penalties to be used exclusively for enforcing wage payment laws.