IDOL Releases Labor Day Report

The Illinois Department of Labor says it recovered nearly 3-point-9 million dollars in back wages for workers over the past year. In its 2026 Labor Day Report, the agency also reported collecting more than 1-point-4 million dollars in penalties from employers. Officials say the figures reflect ongoing enforcement of wage, safety, and workplace standards across the state. The report comes as IDOL operated with a 23-point-9 million dollar budget appropriation for fiscal year 2025. Labor officials say the recoveries underscore the agency’s role in holding employers accountable and ensuring workers receive the pay they earned.