Bill Text: IL HB2547 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Veto Message
Bill Title: Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Defines "adverse employment action". Removes couriers and express delivery services from the definition of "warehouse distribution center". Makes changes to the definition of "quota". Provides that "employer" means a person who directly or indirectly, or through an agent or any other person, including through the services of a third-party employer, temporary services or staffing agency, independent contractor, or any similar entity, employs or exercises control over the wages, hours, or working conditions of 250 (instead of 100) or more employees at a single warehouse distribution center in the State or 1,000 or more employees at one or more warehouse distribution centers in the State. Requires an employer to provide an updated written description of each quota to which the employee is subject within 5 (instead of 2) business days of the quota change. Provides that, if an employee requests a written description of the quotas to which the employee was subject and a copy of the employee's own personal work speed data, the employer shall comply with this request as soon as practicable, but no later than 7 (instead of 3) calendar days after the date of the request. Removes a provision authorizing designated employee representatives to bring an action for injunctive relief to obtain compliance with specified provisions of the Act. Makes a conforming change. Changes the effective date to January 1, 2026 (instead of January 1, 2024).
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 34)
Status: (Vetoed) 2025-03-21 - Governor Vetoed [HB2547 Detail]
Download: Illinois-2023-HB2547-Veto_Message.html
March 21, 2025
To the Honorable Members of
The Illinois House,
The 103rd General Assembly:
Today, I veto House Bill 2547 from the 103rd General Assembly. The bill would have established the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which would have put in place requirements regarding the use and disclosure of quotas for warehouse workers.
My administration appreciates the efforts by the sponsors in the House and Senate, advocates, and other stakeholders who worked to pass this bill to address the sometimes dangerous working conditions for workers in the warehousing industry. While I share the goal of protecting warehouse workers from dangerous and unfair working conditions, this bill was passed hastily at the end of the Lame Duck session without engagement with relevant state agencies or my office and presents both legal and operational issues that undermine its effect: the definition of who is covered by the law is unclear; there is no procedure to ensure due process in the enforcement of the provisions; and while the bill calls for civil penalties and damages, it does not set out a clear, comprehensive scheme for these penalties or damages. In this tight budget year and in the face of unpredictable enforcement and funding from the federal government, it is critical that advocates, legislators and my administration work together to ensure any new labor laws are straightforward to implement and do not create a risk of legal challenges.
Illinois is a national leader in protecting the rights of workers. Under my administration, we have raised the minimum wage, established a constitutional right to collective bargaining, required paid leave for all workers, and more. At a time when the federal government is failing to protect workers, we must work harder, smarter, and more effectively to fill the gap. That is why I am directing my office and the Illinois Department of Labor to convene worker advocates, unions, and business stakeholders to work together on a proposal to address the underlying critical policy concerns regarding warehouse quotas and overall warehouse worker safety. I am also charging the Illinois Department of Labor with streamlining and prioritizing resources to build a field enforcement team that can respond quickly and effectively to dangerous conditions, lack of meal and rest breaks, and other concerns in warehouses.
Therefore, pursuant to Section 9(b) of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby return House Bill 2547, entitled �AN ACT concerning regulation,� with the foregoing objections, vetoed in its entirety.
Sincerely,
JB Pritzker
Governor, State of Illinois
