Governor Rod Blagojevich recently signed a new law which will fine construction companies that inappropriately classify workers as independent contractors rather than regular employees. Under this new law employers who are caught misclassifying workers can be fined up to $2,500.00.

Other states have addressed misclassification but Illinois is one of five states to pass a law protecting construction workers.  Illinois’ law assumes workers are regular employees, not independentcontractors, unless certain conditions apply.  One condition might be that a worker is in an independently trade or business.