Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has announced the establishment of a new Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit. This initiative aims to help workers and employers resolve straightforward claims efficiently, potentially avoiding administrative hearings or litigation.

By facilitating dialogue between parties, this process can expedite claim resolution, saving time and resources for all involved. According to Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan, "The Informal Resolution and Mediation Unit is not only beneficial for workers and employers, it also allows IDOL to prioritize enforcement resources on complex, strategic, or high-impact investigations."

Currently, the Unit focuses on two main areas: a pilot project for resolving low-dollar wage claims from single employees proactively and the administration of the new Illinois Freelance Worker Protection Act.

As it develops, the Unit will assess outcomes from its pilot project to determine other laws that may be suitable for voluntary informal resolution and mediation.