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IllinoisHB1189104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

PREVAILING WAGE-FED PROJECT

Sponsored By: Jay Hoffman (Democratic)

Became Law

labor & commerceassignmentslabor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

More state-funded projects must pay prevailing wages

Beginning July 1, 2025, more projects count as public works. Jobs paid in whole or part with state or local bonds, grants, loans, or funds are covered. This also covers public‑private partnership projects, leased airport facility work, and state‑backed renewable energy and electric‑vehicle charging projects. It covers federal projects run by a public body when the Illinois rate is at least the federal rate for that work. Workers on these jobs must get prevailing wages; contractors and sponsors must meet compliance duties.

Prevailing wages on public works

Beginning July 1, 2025, workers on public works must be paid the local prevailing wage. The wage includes hourly pay plus annualized fringe benefits like health, training, and pensions. Construction includes maintenance, repair, assembly, and disassembly of equipment. Public bodies and contractors must follow these rules on covered jobs.

Stronger penalties and worker remedies

Beginning July 1, 2025, enforcement is stronger. Public works cannot start unless the law’s wage steps are done. If a contract was awarded without meeting wage rules, it is void; the contractor cannot get damages and can recover only amounts actually paid for labor and materials. Underpaid workers can sue within five years to recover the shortfall, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees; they can also ask the Department of Labor to take the claim. Contractors who underpay owe a state penalty of 20% of underpaid wages for a first action and 50% for later actions, plus punitive damages to the worker equal to 2% per month of the state penalty (5% per month for later actions). If wage rates are under objection, work must pause unless money is set aside to pay any higher rates or the Department certifies the rates. The Department of Labor can ask a court to stop awards or work on noncompliant projects.

More utility and cleanup work covered

Beginning July 1, 2025, more kinds of field work are covered. Third‑party construction in public utility rights‑of‑way is covered, and long fiber builds over 15 total miles are covered. Power‑washing on publicly funded jobs is covered. Mechanical‑insulation assessment work is covered. Removing, hauling, and disposing of biosolids or lime sludge from water plants is covered. Corrective actions paid from the Underground Storage Tank Fund are covered. Installing fixtures on public‑owned light poles is covered unless the public body’s own employees do the work. Workers on these jobs must be paid prevailing wages.

Some projects are not covered

Beginning July 1, 2025, some work is not covered. Work done directly by a public utility company is excluded. Projects by an owner at their own owner‑occupied single‑family home or owner‑occupied unit are excluded. Soil and water conservation work on farmland is excluded when done by the owner or legal controller. Most federal projects with a U.S. Department of Labor wage decision are excluded, except in the specific cases where this law also applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jay Hoffman

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Aarón M. Ortíz

    Democratic • House

  • Adriane Johnson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Amy Briel

    Democratic • House

  • Anna Moeller

    Democratic • House

  • Bill Cunningham

    Democratic • Senate

  • Carol Ammons

    Democratic • House

  • Christopher Belt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dagmara Avelar

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Vella

    Democratic • House

  • David Koehler

    Democratic • Senate

  • Doris Turner

    Democratic • Senate

  • Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    Democratic • Senate

  • Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch

    Democratic • House

  • Graciela Guzmán

    Democratic • Senate

  • Gregg Johnson

    Democratic • House

  • Harry Benton

    Democratic • House

  • Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jehan Gordon-Booth

    Democratic • House

  • Karina Villa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Stuart

    Democratic • House

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Democratic • House

  • Kevin John Olickal

    Democratic • House

  • Lawrence "Larry" Walsh, Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Marcus C. Evans, Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Martin J. Moylan

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Gill

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Hanson

    Democratic • House

  • Mattie Hunter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Maura Hirschauer

    Democratic • House

  • Michael J. Kelly

    Democratic • House

  • Michael W. Halpin

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Porfirio

    Democratic • Senate

  • Natalie A. Manley

    Democratic • House

  • Nicolle Grasse

    Democratic • House

  • Norma Hernandez

    Democratic • House

  • Rachel Ventura

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rick Ryan

    Democratic • House

  • Robert "Bob" Rita

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Chung

    Democratic • House

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Democratic • House

  • Sue Scherer

    Democratic • House

  • Will Guzzardi

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 152 • No: 60

Senate vote • 5/21/2025

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 40 • No: 18

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Do Pass Labor;

Yes: 12 • No: 5

House vote • 4/8/2025

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 82 • No: 28 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/26/2025

Do Pass / Short Debate Labor & Commerce Committee;

Yes: 18 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0160

    8/14/2025House

  2. Effective Date August 14, 2025

    8/14/2025House

  3. Governor Approved

    8/14/2025House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/17/2025House

  5. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham

    6/10/2025Senate

  6. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura

    5/26/2025Senate

  7. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

    5/26/2025Senate

  8. Passed Both Houses

    5/21/2025House

  9. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter

    5/21/2025Senate

  10. Third Reading - Passed; 040-018-000

    5/21/2025Senate

  11. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán

    5/6/2025Senate

  12. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 6, 2025

    5/1/2025Senate

  13. Second Reading

    5/1/2025Senate

  14. Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 1, 2025

    4/30/2025Senate

  15. Do Pass Labor; 012-005-000

    4/30/2025Senate

  16. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Doris Turner

    4/29/2025Senate

  17. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Michael W. Halpin

    4/29/2025Senate

  18. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes

    4/29/2025Senate

  19. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler

    4/28/2025Senate

  20. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson

    4/28/2025Senate

  21. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa

    4/28/2025Senate

  22. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio

    4/28/2025Senate

  23. Assigned to Labor

    4/23/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Assignments

    4/14/2025Senate

  25. First Reading

    4/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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