Below is information about laws and regulations, including wages, benefits, safety and health, that affect businesses and workers within the State of Illinois. The Attorney General's Workplace Rights Bureau protects and advances the employment rights of all Illinois residents.The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) created this overview of important City, State, and federal laws so you know your rights at work. Once a union has been certified or recognized, the employer is required to bargain over your terms and conditions of employment with your union representative. You cannot be compelled to join a union as condition of employment. It is a violation of federal law. The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) enforces key labor laws to protect workers' rights. As of April 2019, Illinois is not a righttowork state. City-funded 'CUNY Reconnect' program has helped more than 33,000 students who left college to return and resume their educational journey. While Illinois does not adhere to right-to-work laws, employees in the state maintain certain rights and protections under state and federal labor laws.