The prevailing wage mandate sets labor costs for government projects far above what would otherwise be required by other wage laws – an inflated expense that falls directly on taxpayers who fund these projects. Illinois’ prevailing wage rates are inflated nearly 40 percent higher than average wages for private jobs in the same area.
Senate Bill 1360, filed Feb. 9, 2017 by state Sen. Tom Rooney, R-Rolling Meadows, allows local governments to reduce the costs of public projects and conduct more competitive bidding by eliminating high-cost construction mandates for public projects under $1 million.
The change effectively removes labor wages and benefits from the competitive bidding process on public works projects. In a state with the region’s weakest growth in construction jobs, a repeal would remove barriers into the constriction industry and stimulate construction sector employment. Competitive construction laws should give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.
Sign the petition today to tell your lawmaker to remove the expensive mandate on public construction by repealing the prevailing wage mandate for government projects costing $1,000,000 or less.