Hoffman Fighting to Protect Workers and Wages

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Despite efforts by the Rauner administration to repeal prevailing wage in Illinois, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, Chairman of the House Labor and Commerce committee, is continuing to stand up to the governor and his allies to ensure workers can continue to receive fair wages for their work.

“Governor Rauner’s misguided and uniformed attempts to repeal prevailing wage would undermine workers ability to collect a living wage,” Hoffman said. “When our midwestern neighbors repealed the common construction wage, workers in those states began to see lower pay and increased wage inequalities, and this would be a bad model for our state to follow.”

Since taking office in 2015, the Rauner administration pledged to begin dismantling prevailing wage at the expense of state workers. Surrounding states that have repealed such laws argued that doing away with prevailing wage would deliver real cost savings and expand economic competition. Instead, studies have since revealed evidence that discredits these claims – highlighting reduced wages and no growth.

“Repealing the prevailing wage in Illinois on the backs of our own workers isn’t a viable solution for the state,” Hoffman said. “As some of the hardest-working people in this state, I’ll continue to defend workers and laborers against reckless attempts to take away their right to fair wages.”