Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Illinois Close Neighbor Repeals Prevailing Wage Law!



By Richard H. Wessels, Esq.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence has signed a law ending Indiana’s Common Construction Wage Act. This was Indiana’s version of a prevailing wage act.

The new statute provides that, unless otherwise required by federal or state law, public agencies are prohibited from establishing, mandating, or otherwise requiring a wage scale or wage schedule for a public works project.

Supporters of the act are of the opinion that wages on public projects should be set by the marketplace and not by the government. Naturally, the outlook is that there will be significant savings to taxpayers under the new system.

West Virginia and Nevada have recently repealed state prevailing wage acts. Indiana’s move may create pressure in Illinois for a similar repudiation of prevailing wage laws.

Questions? Call Attorney Dick Wessels of Wessels Sherman's St. Charles, Illinois office: 630-377-1554 or email him at riwessels@wesselssherman.com.