Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Purpose and findings. Domestic workers play a critical role in 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. Domestic workers are predominantly women who labor to support families and children of their own and who receive low pay and minimal or no benefits. Without clear standards governing their workplaces, and working alone and behind closed doors, domestic workers are among the most isolated and vulnerable workforce in the State. Workforce projections are one of growth for domestic workers, but the lack of decent pay and other workplace protections undermines the likelihood of building and maintaining a reliable and experienced workforce that is able to meet the needs of Illinois families. Therefore, the General Assembly finds that because domestic workers care for the most important elements of Illinoisans' lives, our families and our homes, it is in the interest of employees, employers, and the people of Illinois to ensure that the rights of domestic workers are respected, protected, and enforced and that this Act shall be interpreted liberally to aid this purpose. (Source: P.A. 99-758, eff. 1-1-17.)