888-451-3527

info@flapillinois.org

Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project

Ayuda para Trabajadores

FLAP’s 26th Anniversary – October 28th at Tanta Peruvian Restaurant from 5:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.

Please join us on October 28th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Tanta to celebrate FLAP’s 26th Anniversary.

26 years FLAP Logo

Service Areas

FLAP covers the State of Illinois.

We have recovered almost 5.0 million dollars in back wages and illegal deductions. Please contact us for more information: info@flapillinois.org



 

 

IL Latinx Population

Client Testimonials

  • One comes here thinking we are going to find a better life. We trust in the promises that our employers make us, but then it turns out they are false. I would never have moved forward with the case if FLAP had not stood by me every step of the way.
    Gloria
    Former Client
  • Some people might think a week’s pay that we never received is not worth a lawsuit.  That money, however, is the only source of  sustenance  that my family and I have for the next month.  FLAP understood this and helped us fight for our rights.
    Jesus
    Former Client
  • I used to think that legal rights were only for the benefit of people with money. But FLAP did not ask me for any money; all they asked for was my trust. The fact that FLAP staff spoke Spanish made me feel comfortable. Now I know that the laws are not made just for the rich and that I too can fight for my rights.
    Miguel
    Former Client
  • I like the fact that FLAP will visit us in the fields and in the nursery and see the real conditions under which we work. You taste the water we have to drink; you see the bathrooms we have to use. Seeing FLAP staff in the middle of the field under the burning sun, talking to us about our rights really made me want to trust them
    Anonymous
    Nursery Worker & Former Client

About Us

Since its founding in 1999, FLAP has been the only non-profit organization in Illinois, in the Midwest, and one of only a handful like it in the United States, that makes sure low-wage workers and their households in the cannery, farming, greenhouse, landscaping, meat, nursery, packinghouse, poultry, restaurants, and snow plowing industries who are exploited at work, and have no foreseeable way of fighting back — either because they cannot afford an attorney or, because of their classification, cannot access Federally-funded legal aid — are treated with dignity and guaranteed their legal rights and have access to social services.

With your donations, FLAP has achieved the following:

  • Educated more than 2.5 million low-wage people on their legal rights;
  • Partnered with more than 550 organizations, including business, churches, Consulates, farms, foundations, law firms, legal aid organizations, public libraries, other non-profit organizations and workers centers, to improve working conditions and opportunities for the low-wage community in Illinois;
  • Endorsed and sent more than 1,781 petitions and letters advocating for low-wage workers focusing on those in the food supply chain;
  • Distributed more than 6.0 million of community outreach and education material with resources and information, including legal and social services) available to low-wage workers regardless of their immigration status;
  • Delivered more than 145,000 “Know Your Rights” presentations;
  • Referred 258,458 potential cases to legal aid organizations and law firms that resulted in 1,518 lawsuits filed in federal and state courts.
  • Filed 252 lawsuits in federal and state courts – 90% representing multiple workers as class actions or collective actions.;
  • Sent 89 demand letters in the name of very low-wage workers and their households in the cannery, farming, greenhouse, landscaping, meat, nursery, packinghouse, poultry, restaurants and snow plowing industries in Illinois;
  • Recovered almost 5.0 million dollars in back wages and damages for low-wage workers by FLAP in house attorneys and more than 7.0 million by other law firms and legal aid organizations that FLAP referred cases to, for a total of more than 12 million dollars.
  • Distributed $6,683,035 in financial assistance to very low-wage individuals benefiting approximately 43,886 family members in the food supply chain;
  • During the COVID-19, FLAP has secured $2,483,035 in financial assistance to very low-income individuals benefiting approximately 26,000 family members;
  • Distributed 2,987,909 pieces of Personal Protective Equipment, of which 1,095,263 units went directly to low-wage Illinois’ farmworkers and 25,677 to immigrant children;
  • Secured $251,873 worth of technology and educational supplies so low-wage immigrant children could participate effectively in distance learning and are not behind on school. In doing this FLAP contributes to economic mobility.
  • 26,358 low-wage families had secured Dual Citizenship for their Children and families preventing family separations.

FLAP Programs

Would you like more information about FLAP's services?

Ask us about your rights at work. Pregúntenos sus derechos en el trabajo.

Services By County

FLAP Partners

FLAP partners with over 550 organizations, including business, churches, Consulates, farms, foundations, law firms, legal aid organizations, public libraries, other non-profit organizations and workers centers. From those, over 500 are in the State of Illinois. If you see an opportunity for partnership signing an formal Letter of Support and/or Memorandum of Understanding to partner with FLAP, please contact us at
info@flapillinois.org or 1-888-451-3527