The Illinois Preferential Hiring Law is in Effect
by Andy Martone
The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has confirmed that the Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act is now in effect as a result of the excessive unemployment rate in Illinois caused by the pandemic, the related Stay at Home Orders and the resulting business closures.
The Act requires the workforce on all public works projects to be comprised of a minimum of 90 percent of Illinois workers.
The law covers public works projects that are funded in whole or in part with state funds or funds administered by the state of Illinois. Any public works project financed in whole or in part by federal funds administered by the state of Illinois is also covered to the extent permitted by applicable federal law or regulation.
The consequences of violating the Act can be severe, and include substantial penalties per worker, per day – starting at $1,000 and going up to $15,000 for multiple repeat violations – and also allow for the filing of private lawsuits.