By ELIZABETH DONALD
Illinois Correspondent

Springfield, IL – Among the flurry of new bills introduced at the start of the year in Springfield were a pair of proposals from state Rep. Jay Hoffman, aimed at supporting Labor.

Hoffman (D-Swansea) said the proposals aim to strengthen prevailing wage rules and help workers secure the paychecks they deserve.

“Prevailing wage is an important safeguard that ensures local workers get a fair deal for their labor,” Hoffman said. “It’s imperative that the General Assembly is responsive to real-world concerns that may require us to strengthen rules, and I appreciate the input from Labor leaders who have identified potential loopholes that need to be closed. At the end of the day, we want our workers to get the best deal possible.”

House Bill 1189 will clarify that workers should receive the highest prevailing wage in local public works projects that include federal funding, whether that is the federal or state wage. Hoffman’s office said the measure intends to eliminate “potential confusion” when rates differ.

The other bill is House Bill 1090, which specifically aims at prevailing wage rules on telecommunications projects. He said the measure would eliminate loopholes that could misrepresent the true scope of a project to avoid paying prevailing wage.

“It’s important to me personally that Illinois continues to be a leader in Labor rights,” Hoffman said. “We’re going to continue to prioritize working families, ensure everyone has the opportunity for a good wage and strengthen protections against those who want to pursue a race to the bottom.”

Illinois’ comptroller manages enforcement of the Prevailing Wage Act, which requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers, workers and mechanics employed on public works projects no less than the general prevailing rate of wages for work of a similar character in the area where the work is being performed. A contractor or subcontractor found to have violated the act twice in five years may be barred from public works projects for four years.

Representatives from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office spoke at the Southwestern Illinois Building Trades Council in January, reminding attendees how to report violations and shady contractors.

Hoffman credited the leadership and advocacy of local Labor leaders, and said he was looking forward to a “productive, proworker session” in Springfield this year.