Ryan Fights for Fair Pay, Passes Prevailing Wage Measure

EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. — A measure backed by state Rep. Rick Ryan, D-Evergreen Park, to strengthen prevailing wage rules and ensure workers receive the correct pay is one step closer to becoming law.

“Every Illinoisan without exception deserves fair pay for fair work,” Ryan said. “This measure is a commonsense step towards ensuring that no one is short-changed on the compensation they are owed for doing their job.”

In a push to continue to improve workers’ rights in Illinois, Ryan backed House Bill 1189, which clarifies that workers will receive the highest prevailing wage – whether federal or state – in local public works projects that include federal funding. The measure intends to eliminate potential confusion when rates differ, and specifically impacts projects under state or local control. Illinois prevailing wage rates are updated twice a year, whereas federal rates are updated irregularly and infrequently.

House Bill 1189 passed the Illinois Senate and House with bipartisan support and had the backing of the Illinois AFL-CIO and numerous labor and workers’ rights groups. It will head to the governor for final approval. Once signed, House Bill 1189 is intended to take effect July 1, 2025.

“I’m working to keep our neighborhood a good place to live and work, and guaranteeing reasonable salaries that can pay the bills is essential to that goal,” Ryan said. “We’re giving Illinois families the economic stability they need to get ahead.”