Like all other states, Illinois labor law must adhere or exceed to the protections afforded to workers per the many federal level laws enacted to protect workers' rights. However, for issues not covered by federal authority, the states have wide discretion in creating and enforcing laws that affect labor and employment. The branch of the Illinois state government tasked with enforcing labor decisions is the Illinois Department of Labor, or IDOL. Some of the variations from the federal laws and other state laws in the Illinois Labor Law are the relatively generous minimum wage rates for workers, which rose to $8.00 per hour as of July 1st, 2009. Additionally, the minimum wage for cash tipped workers is one of the highest in the U.S. at $4.50 per hour. Another unique protection afforded workers per Illinois state-level employment law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees with one wage garnishment, even if that wage garnishment is for past due child support arrangements.