Many low-wage workers in Chicago and other major cities are losing out on basic employment rights. That's according to a study released Wednesday by a team of labor market experts.
Nik Theodore heads the Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He's one of the report's authors.
THEODORE: So whether it's meal breaks, working overtime and not getting the required wages, being paid below minimum wage, all of these are violations of this country's core labor protections.
Theodore says such on-going violations amount to "wage theft."
The report details violations in a variety of blue- and white-collar industries. It calls for better enforcement of current labor standards and stronger penalties against offending employers.
A spokeswoman for the Illinois Attorney General's office said the study will be helpful as they work with the state's Department of Labor to guarantee the rights of Illinois workers.
Read the full report.