INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Businesses could face fines for knowingly hiring workers living in the country without legal permission under an Indiana law taking effect soon.

That was the message from Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita at a Thursday news conference.

Enforcement of Senate Enrolled Act 76, called the Fairness Act by Republicans, is set to begin July 1. The law will mark the first time in the state’s history that businesses will be financially penalized for employing workers in the country without legal permission.

Rokita said, “We do expect whatever operation you run to have it run fairly, and that means you hire Hoosiers and you at least hire U.S. citizens, and you do not try to exploit cheap labor from people who shouldn’t be here in the first place.”

The Republican attorney general said the goal of the law was to crack down on what he calls “underground economies” and “labor trafficking” in the construction industry.

A Central Midwest Carpenters’ Union representative said both union and nonunion companies are being undercut by competitors who take advantage of low-wage workers living in the country without legal permission. Kyle Gresham said, “There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. This is not a union and nonunion issue. This is about workers. This is about doing what’s right. This is about paying their fair share.”

“I’ve seen workers hanging drywall for as little as 15 cents a square foot, and if you do the math, that’s not a lot. There’s no overtime, no insurance, no workers’ comp insurance. These workers are in a completely exploitive business model.”

Construction workers that News 8 spoke to said they fear losing more coworkers and taking on additional responsibilities.

Senate Enrolled Act 76 goes beyond construction sites. It also requires schools, government agencies, and law enforcement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Critics say the law could lead to racial profiling, but Rokita said, “I’m not going to worry a thing about that. We’re going where the facts lead. If there’s a certain demographic that’s being trafficked more than others, do you think they care? That we’re profiling them? We wouldn’t be doing that. We wouldn’t be profiling anything, because it’s labor trafficking.”

The attorney general said his office will rely on tips and referrals from the public to begin any investigations.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indianapolis will be included in the inaugural American Great Lakes Michelin Guide, a move expected to elevate the city’s culinary scene.

The partnership with Michelin will bring inspectors to Indianapolis restaurants, with results of evaluations expected in approximately one year.

The French tire company says restaurants in Indianapolis and five other cities will be featured. On Thursday, Morgan Snyder, Visit Indy’s vice president of communications and community relations, joined Daybreak to discuss what this means for the city.

She says Michelin inspectors are currently evaluating restaurants in Indianapolis after determining the city was a strong contender for recognition. 

The evaluation process reportedly began without the city’s prior knowledge. “So unbeknownst to us, Michelin came into the market and was scouring our culinary scene,” Snyder said. “And then they decided Indianapolis is a strong contender and could put forth some Michelin restaurants.”

Indianapolis was invited to participate alongside five other Midwestern cities in this guide expansion.

“Not every city in the Midwest was invited,” Snyder said. “So, we should be excited about that opportunity that we have a seat at the table.”

Michelin recognition includes categories such as one, two, or three stars, Bib Gourmand distinctions, and Green Stars.

Michelin established a restaurant rating system in 1900, ranking the best with from one to three stars based on anonymous inspections evaluating ingredients, techniques, flavor, chef personalities, and consistency. The company created the guide to encourage more driving — and thus wear out more tires — by providing drivers with maps, hotel information, and dining recommendations.

“We’re humble Hoosiers often, and we don’t brag about our restaurants as much as we should, but there are so many incredible restaurants in our city,” Snyder said.

Aligning with the globally recognized Michelin brand, Snyder said this could enhance the perception of Indianapolis as a culinary destination and boost tourism. Michelin recognition also historically increases revenues for recognized chefs.

“There’s data that proves the (Michelin brand) increases tourism; there’s data that proves that Michelin-recognized chefs see an increase in their revenues if they’re Michelin-recognized.” She added, “So the proof is there that aligning with a Michelin brand can really move the needle in raising the game for an entire destination.”

The inaugural restaurant selection for the Great Lakes region — Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh — will be revealed in 2027.

The Michelin Guide has expanded across North America over several years. Its first North American Guide was for New York in 2005.

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