Hoffman Legislation Creating Fairer Pay Standards for Construction Projects Signed into Law

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – Workers on public works projects will earn competitive wages under a new law sponsored by state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, ensuring workers on federally-funded, state-contracted, construction projects are paid fairly and transparently.

“Workers deserve to be paid fairly and in a transparent way, but often there’s a gray area when we’re using federal funds on local or state projects; this legislation fixes that issue in a commonsense way that values the dignity and hard work of Illinois’
construction trades, Hoffman said. “Our efforts to revitalize our infrastructure statewide cannot come at the expense of workers’ wages, and this legislation honors that commitment.”

Hoffman’s House Bill 1189 requires public works projects funded with federal dollars but administered by state or local governments will pay workers the higher of the federal or state prevailing wages. Many times, the federal Department of Labor does not update the prevailing wage in a timely manner resulting in lower pay. This legislation ensures that workers are fairly compensated.

For more information, please contact RepJayHoffman@gmail.com.