Democratic socialist legislator unveils comprehensive labor reform package targeting wage theft, strengthening union protections, and holding corporations accountable.

SPRINGFIELD, IL — October 10, 2026 — Illinois State Representative Marie Rivas-Boucher today introduced the Illinois Workers’ Rights, Fair Wages, and Workplace Accountability Act of 2026, a comprehensive legislative package aimed at strengthening labor protections, expanding workers’ bargaining power, and ensuring that Illinois’ economic prosperity translates into tangible improvements in the lives of working families.

The proposed legislation would strengthen enforcement against wage theft, expand protections for workers who report unsafe working conditions, establish fair-scheduling standards for covered employers, and improve accountability for corporations receiving public subsidies. The package also proposes additional resources for labor-law enforcement and expanded access to workers’ rights education throughout the state.

“Working people built this state. They built our cities, staffed our hospitals, kept our factories running, and made our economy possible. Yet far too many are still working longer hours for wages that cannot keep up with the cost of living,” Rivas-Boucher said. “We have allowed an economy that rewards those who own the most to disregard those who do the most. That is not inevitable, and it is not acceptable.”

A member of the Democratic Socialists of America, Rivas-Boucher has made labor rights and economic democracy central to her legislative career. The proposed act reflects her longstanding position that workers must have meaningful power in the workplace and that public policy should prioritize economic security over corporate interests.