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HB5461 • 2026
WAGES-TERMINATION PAYMENTS
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
WAGES-TERMINATION PAYMENTS
These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.
Plain English: Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5461 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience.
Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
Second Reading - Short Debate
Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Labor & Commerce Committee ; by Voice Vote
Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Labor & Commerce Committee ; 018-010-000
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Labor & Commerce Committee
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Labor & Commerce Committee
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
WAGES-TERMINATION PAYMENTS
Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HB5461 Select Language × The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience. In no way should it be considered accurate as to the translation of any content herein. Visitors of the Illinois General Assembly website are encouraged to use other translation services available on the internet. The English language version is always the official and authoritative version of this website. NOTE: To return to the original English language version, select the "Show Original" button on the Google Translate™ menu bar at the top of the window. 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Full Text of HB5461 Home Legislation Full Text HB5461 - 104th General Assembly Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Select Menu Bill Status Full Text Votes Witness Slips Printer Friendly Version Introduced House Amendment 001 Printer Friendly Version Introduced House Amendment 001 Open PDF 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB5461 Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 820 ILCS 115/9.1 new Amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Provides that it is unlawful to include in any employment contract, or to require an employee to execute as a condition of employment or a work relationship, a contract that: (1) requires the employee to pay an employer, training provider, or debt collector for a debt if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated; (2) authorizes the employer, training provider, or debt collector to resume or initiate collection of or to end forbearance on a debt if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated; (3) imposes any penalty, fee, or cost on a employee if the employee's employment or work relationship with a specific employer is terminated. Provides that the provision applies to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a contract entered into in violation of the provision is void and unenforceable. Sets forth an exception to the provision. Effective immediately. LRB104 19332 SPS 32779 b A BILL FOR HB5461 LRB104 19332 SPS 32779 b 1 AN ACT concerning employment. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act is 5 amended by adding Section 9.1 as follows: 6 (820 ILCS 115/9.1 new) 7 Sec. 9.1. Prohibition of contracts requiring payment upon 8 termination. 9 (a) Except as provided in subsection (d), it is unlawful 10 to include in any employment contract, or to require an 11 employee to execute as a condition of employment or a work 12 relationship, a contract that: 13 (1) requires the employee to pay an employer, training 14 provider, or debt collector for a debt if the employee's 15 employment or work relationship with a specific employer 16 is terminated; 17 (2) authorizes the employer, training provider, or 18 debt collector to resume or initiate collection of or to 19 end forbearance on a debt if the employee's employment or 20 work relationship with a specific employer is terminated; 21 or 22 (3) imposes any penalty, fee, or cost on a employee if 23 the employee's employment or work relationship with a HB5461 - 2 - LRB104 19332 SPS 32779 b 1 specific employer is terminated. 2 (b) This Section applies to contracts entered into on or 3 after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 104th 4 General Assembly. 5 (c) A contract entered into in violation of this 6 subsection is void and unenforceable. 7 (d) This Section does not apply to any wage deduction 8 authorized under Section 9. 9 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 10 becoming law. Footer Disclaimer This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly by the Legislative Information System, 705 Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Contact ILGA Webmaster ILGA.gov uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse ILGA.gov you consent to our use of cookies. Read About Cookies ILGA.GOV 2026 ILGA.gov | All Rights Reserved | ADA | Disclaimers | Learn This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly by the Legislative Information System, 705 Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706. Contact ILGA Webmaster ILGA.gov uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse ILGA.gov you consent to our use of cookies. Read About Cookies ILGA.GOV 2026 ILGA.gov | All Rights Reserved | ADA | Disclaimers | Learn