By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill – Illinois has become the first state to block proposed federal changes on who gets overtime pay.
Governor Rod Blagojevich today signed a law that preserves the current rules regarding who gets time-and-a-half pay for overtime -- even before a final version of the federal changes is released.
The governor says the Illinois law treats workers fairly and with respect.
Supporters say the changes will prevent about 375,000 Illinois workers from losing overtime pay they count on.
But critics say the governor and the legislature are jumping the gun.
The federal rules have been drafted by the U.S. Department of Labor but have yet to be officially released.
It isn't clear when they will go into effect or precisely whom they will target.