January 18, 2019

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 203, which requires the local prevailing wage be set at the rate that prevails for similar work performed under collective bargaining agreements in a locality. The measure, which was signed into law on Gov. Pritzker’s first full day in office, represents a departure from previous law, which viewed wage rates in collective bargaining agreements as one of several factors used to determine local prevailing wage rates.

Strong prevailing wage laws encourage the use of local contractors and a local workforce on government-funded construction projects, which in turn supports high quality construction and helps keep taxpayers’ dollars in their community.  The changes to Illinois prevailing wage law under SB 203 support also promote collective bargaining rights by referring directly to industry collective bargaining agreements.

 S.B. 203 is virtually identical to Senate Bill 2964, which was vetoed by former Gov. Rauner in July 2016. Democrats pushed the bill through the Legislature after Rauner’s defeat, positioning it for a quick endorsement by Gov. Pritzker.

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