A hearty Labor Day thank you to the City of Bloomington, Town of Normal and the County of McLean for passing ordinances requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on governmentally funded projects.

Local tax dollars should support local workers. In projects over $50,000, the PLA requires that workers on the job are enrolled in certified apprenticeship programs and that 25% of workers are from a minority designation or female, plus a minority- or female-owned contractor employs 25% of the workforce.

This is a win-win for the community. For our local youth, a PLA is a pathway to a construction career. It also opens the door for diverse businesses to develop and grow.

As I told the County Board last December, “The main purpose of a PLA is to promote predictability, stability and productivity on construction contracts. PLAs ensure that taxpayer-funded projects utilize apprentices and expand work opportunities for people from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.”

A recent study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) verified how opening apprenticeships is creating opportunities. Too many young people graduate high school without a path forward. Higher education is not for everyone, and many families lack the resources to send their children to college.

Illinois is investing tax dollars in pre-apprenticeship programs, ensuring potential applicants are work-ready, learning a work ethic and understanding construction career opportunities. The state-funded Highway Construction Careers Training Program and the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program are second chances for those seeking stability in their lives.

According to the ILEPI report, graduates from the two pre-apprenticeship programs accounted for “35 percent of all new Black construction apprentices and 21 percent of all new female construction apprentices in Illinois. The number of new construction apprentices in Illinois increased by 52 percent, with new Black apprentices doubling (+95 percent) and new female apprentices tripling (+202 percent).”

By recognizing the value of apprenticeships and establishing thresholds for our diverse populations, local governments ensure that construction dollars return to the community. Traditionally, bidding laws required local government to accept the lowest responsible bidder, without defining responsible. The PLA creates that definition, defining apprenticeship as a criterion for responsibility.

The ILEPI report adds: “Participants who enroll in joint labor (union)-management registered apprenticeship programs earn $37,000 in their first year of training and $81,000 upon graduating to union journeyworkers.”

On behalf of our local trades, who are eager to open our doors to all, I thank our local governments, who realize tax dollars are maximized when we provide opportunities for all.

Please join us at the Labor Day Parade at 10 a.m. Monday. And as you scan our proud local union members marching together, please note our diversity. A union construction career is a foundation for a strong family and a thriving community, and we salute our government partners who support us.