Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act Poster Mandatory

State of Illinois
Illinois Department of Labor

Illinois Wage
Payment and
Collection Act

Failure of Subcontractors to Pay Workers’ Wages

Illinois law requires that employees be paid for work performed. Primary contractors, also
known as general contractors, may be liable if subcontractors do not pay their workers.

WHAT CONTRACTORS
SHOULD KNOW

WHAT WORKERS
SHOULD KNOW

NOTICE: For employees working for contractors and

NOTICE: If your employer is a subcontractor hired

EXCEPTIONS: This requirement does not apply to

If your contractor doesn’t pay your full wages,
you may file a claim within three years of the
nonpayment or underpayment of your wages.

subcontractors on certain private construction projects
where costs exceed $20,000, if the subcontractor
does not pay all wages or fringe benefits owed, the
general contractor who hired the subcontractor may
be liable to cover the back wages and fringe benefits
owed to the employee, as well as interest, penalties,
and reasonable attorney’s fees. The general contractor
is not liable to cover related liquidated damages.
work where the general contractor is covered by a
collective bargaining agreement; alteration or repair
to a single-family home or a single unit in a multifamily structure; projects valued at $20,000 or
less; work performed pursuant to contracts
that were entered into before July 1,
2022; or work performed by a contractor
of the federal government, the State, a
special district, a city, a county, or any
political subdivision of the State.
For further information see
https://labor.illinois.gov/
(312) 793-2808
DOL.Wages@Illinois.gov

FILE A CLAIM

https://labor.illinois.gov/complaints.html

by a primary general contractor, and your employer
does not pay you your earned wages and fringe
benefits, the primary contractor who hired them
may be responsible for paying you your wages and
benefits. The Illinois Department of Labor can help
you determine whether your situation qualifies.

This law applies to workers on certain private
construction projects.  If you are unsure of
the type of project, or whether the project
qualifies, please call 312-793-2808. Leave
a voicemail, and an Illinois Department of
Labor staff member will return your call.

FILING A CLAIM FOR UNPAID WAGES

Employees may file claims with the Illinois
Department of Labor, or may file a civil action in circuit
court. Before filing a civil action for unpaid wages
against a general contractor, an employee must notify
their employer (the subcontractor) and the general
contractor in writing that the employee intends to
file a civil action, and the nature and basis for the
action. The subcontractor and general contractor
then have 10 days to resolve the issue before
the employee is free to go forward with formally
filing a civil action in a circuit court. No waiting
period is necessary for filing a claim with IDOL.
To file a claim or learn more, call 312-7932808.  Leave a voicemail, and an Illinois
Department of Labor staff member will
return your call. The Illinois Department
of Labor can assist in filing your claim. 
THIS POSTER MUST BE DISPLAYED WHERE
EMPLOYEES CAN EASILY SEE IT.

Printed by the Authority of State of Illinois 06/23 IOCI 23-1633