Illinois labor department recovers nearly $400,000 in unpaid wages

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois Department of Labor has recovered nearly $400,000 in unpaid wages for workers following investigations into violations of the state’s Prevailing Wage Act.

Officials said the agency secured more than $398,000 in back wages for 29 workers and assessed penalties against three employers in separate cases.

An investigation into General Energy Corp. found violations affecting 16 employees across multiple worksites in DuPage County. The company misclassified workers and failed to pay required wages and benefits, resulting in about $296,000 in recovered wages and more than $59,000 in penalties.

In Jackson County, Lake of Egypt Docks was found to have violated wage, reporting and overtime requirements, affecting eight employees. Officials said about $75,000 in unpaid wages were recovered, along with nearly $15,000 in penalties.

A third investigation in Henry County found Empire Electric underpaid five employees and improperly classified a worker. The agency recovered more than $28,000 in wages and assessed more than $5,600 in penalties.

State officials said employers are required to properly classify workers and pay prevailing wages on public construction projects.

The department said it has recovered more than $906,000 for workers under the law during the 2026 fiscal year.