When Prevailing Wages Do Not Apply, RBOs Uphold Local Construction Standards La Grange: An Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) study of more than 1,200 public works projects in Illinois and Indiana finds that local responsible bidder ordinances (RBOs) boost bid … Continue reading STUDY: Responsible Bidder Ordinances (RBOs) Boost Competition, Increase Apprenticeship, and Control Costs on Public Projects

No state that has repealed prevailing wage has seen the benefits claimed by politicians La Grange, Illinois:  For the third time in as many years, state-level research conducted by the nonpartisan Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI) has shown that the … Continue reading NEW STUDY: Wisconsin Prevailing Wage Repeal Reduced Wages, Exported Jobs and Tax Dollars Out of State, and Failed to Deliver Any Cost Savings

While union workers were more likely to be deemed essential during the pandemic, early data suggests Supreme Court’s Janus decision is having effects on public sector unionization in Illinois La Grange:  For the second straight year, the number of American … Continue reading REPORT: Union Density Declining in Illinois, Across United States

We’re listening to the scientists and doctors, because the number one thing is, we don’t want to open the economy and then close it again.

–Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia on May 20, 2020.

Click here to view this policy memo as a PDF.

Continue reading “There Is Evidence that Illinois’ Re-opening Plan Has Worked — For Now”

In just a few short months, the COVID-19 pandemic has touched every corner of our nation and tragically claimed more than 125,000 American lives, including 7,000 Illinois residents. As case counts keep rising, so do the stakes for the public … Continue reading Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 in Illinois

With Illinois poised to enter Phase 4 of the “Restore Illinois” re-opening plan, COVID-19 has exposed the state’s structural economic and public health inequities. Essential and face-to-face workers who were most affected by Illinois’ efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic … Continue reading Phase 4, COVID-19, and the Inequities Plaguing Illinois

On everything from infection risk and job volatility to average wages– essential, face-to-face, and remote workers face very different health and economic hazards Continue reading “New: COVID-19 Exposes Structural Inequities in Illinois’ Economy and Impacts on People of Color”