Illinois Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

Chief Sponsor: Representative Elizabeth Hernandez

Domestic workers play a critical role in the Illinois economy, working to ensure the health and prosperity of Illinois families and freeing others to participate in the workforce. Despite the value of their work, domestic workers have historically been excluded from the protections under state law extended to workers in other industries. This has led to a workforce, predominantly composed of women supporting their own families, that is isolated and vulnerable.

I consistently work 18 days in a row with no time off. I was continually threatened by the adult son of my client; he often used the N word. The day he came after me with a weapon I fled for my life, leaving my belongings behind. 19% of all domestic workers and 36% of live-in workers were threatened, insulted, or verbally abused. 58% of live-in workers are required to work during their scheduled time off.

I work 24 consecutive hours at a rate of $6.00 an hour. 23% of domestic workers are paid below the state minimum wage; 85% are not guaranteed overtime pay.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights will correct these past failings. Provisions include:

the right to be paid no less than the minimum wage the right to be paid for all work hours the right to at least one day off a week the right to meal and rest periods the right to paid time off the right to be free from sexual harassment

For more information contact Wendy Pollack, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, at 312-368-3303 or wendypollack@povertylaw.org. Domestic Workers Coalition Coordinating Council members: Arise Chicago, Chicago Coalition of Household Workers, Heartland Alliance, Jobs with Justice, Latino Union of Chicago, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, SEIU Healthcare IL/IN, and Women Employed. Statistics are from Home Economics: The Invisible and Unregulated World of Domestic Work (2012) , available at http://www.domesticworkers.org/homeeconomics/.

Supporters (list in formation) AFIREAlliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights & Empowerment AFSCME Council 31 ARISE Chicago Asian American Institute Chicago Coalition of Household Workers Chicago Jobs with Justice Filipino American Grandparents Association Health and Disability Advocates Heartland Alliance for Human Rights & Human Needs Illinois AFL-CIO Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Illinois Commission on the Elimination of Poverty Illinois Federation of Teachers Latino Union Mujeres Latinas en Accin National Asian Pacific American Womens Forum (NAPAWF) Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law Second Unitarian Church, Social Justice Committee SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI) Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ Women Employed