By JIM TALAMONTI
Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) – The General Assembly has approved legislation which could make federal construction projects more expensive for taxpayers in Illinois.
The state Senate passed House Bill 1189 Wednesday afternoon. The measure calls for Illinois’ prevailing wage to override federal prevailing wage for federal projects if the state wage is higher.
State Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, was asked about the bill’s constitutionality and higher taxpayer costs potentially leading to fewer projects in Illinois.
“I really don’t think that’s the issue,” Belt said. “Other states are currently doing it. The Missouri Department of Transportation right now implements this. Minnesota, California and Washington are among three other states that right now implement this very legislation that we’re looking at trying to enact.”
State Sen. Jason Plummer, R-Edwardsville, said Illinois is already more expensive than other states for the private sector, and HB 1189 would drive up taxpayer costs for the public sector.
“What this bill does is it makes it more expensive for the federal government to invest in Illinois. Therefore, they’re going to invest in other states where their dollar stretches further, where they can get more road projects done for the same amount of money, where they can get more bridge projects done for the same amount of money,” Plummer said. “We’re living in a state that personifies in real time how the economy falls backwards and jobs disappear when it’s more expensive to do business.”
State Sen. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, asked Belt about various business and construction groups which opposed the measure. Belt said the conversation stalled when wages were brought up.
Belt said workers are missing out on about $4.45 per hour.
“This legislation really is about fairness. It’s about fairness to your neighbors, the people who live in your communities, about getting the fair wage that they deserve,” Belt said.
Forty senators voted in favor of the bill and 18 voted against it. House Bill 1189 can now be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. If he signs it, the law would take effect July 1.
