Researchers say investment in joint labor-management (union) programs is driving parity  La Grange, IL: Graduates of registered apprenticeship programs in Wisconsin’s construction industry achieve near wage parity with workers that have four-year college degrees, according to a new study by … Continue reading Study: Union Construction Apprenticeships in Wisconsin Rival Bachelor’s Degrees on Key Economic and Diversity Metrics

La Grange, IL:  A new national study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) has found that on average, graduates of joint labor-management (union) apprenticeship programs in the construction industry are able to achieve near wage and benefits parity with … Continue reading Study: Union Construction Apprenticeships Rival Bachelor’s Degrees on Key Economic and Social Metrics

The September 2021 Edition of ILEPI’s newsletter, Illinois Insights, has been released. This edition mainly focuses on the construction industry and the labor movement. Some key highlights from the newsletter include: “Federal-aid swap” Programs bypass federal construction standards and fail to save … Continue reading Illinois Insights – September 2021 Edition

Union-affiliated programs exceed nonunion alternatives on wages, diversity, and graduation rates La Grange, IL: Joint labor-management (union) apprenticeship programs in Iowa’s construction industry are delivering outcomes that rival many colleges in the state, according to a new study by the … Continue reading Study: Iowa Construction Apprenticeships Rival Colleges on Key Metrics

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This week, the Illinois General Assembly passed landmark clean energy legislation. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (SB 2408) is a historic law that combats climate change, creates middle-class careers in the clean energy sector, improves public health, and supports disadvantaged communities. The bipartisan legislation overwhelmingly passed by a vote of 83-33 in the Illinois House of Representatives (72% support) and 37-17 in the Illinois Senate (69% support). Governor Pritzker signed the bill into law on September 15, 2021.

Continue reading “Illinois Passed the Most Pro-Worker, Pro-Climate Law in the United States”

Iowa law allows certain highway projects to bypass federal construction rules Chicago: As congressional leaders in both parties consider trillions of dollars in new infrastructure investment, a new report from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute finds that state-level accounting schemes … Continue reading New Study: State-Level “Federal-Aid Swap” Programs Hurt Workers and Fail to Save Money on Infrastructure

Chicago:  Minnesota’s unionized construction sector is no more costly than its non-union alternative—though it produces higher wages, greater equality, safer worksites, and less reliance on social assistance while training more than 90% of the state’s skilled trade apprentices according to … Continue reading Study: Union Construction Delivers Superior Value for Minnesota Workers, Economy, and Taxpayers—Without Increasing Project Costs

Illinois Lawmakers Place Bi-Partisan Measure to Strengthen Collective Bargaining on 2022 Ballot La Grange, IL: States that have enacted so-called “right-to-work” laws underperform Illinois on a range of core economic metrics—including wages, income growth, workforce productivity, poverty, and workplace safety—according … Continue reading Workers’ Rights Amendment: Illinois Outperforms “Right-to-Work” States

The May 2021 Edition of ILEPI’s newsletter, Illinois Insights, has been released. This edition focuses COVID-19’s impact on working mothers and women. Nearly half of Illinois’ working mothers lost jobs or are working fewer hours due to the pandemic. Transportation revenues have … Continue reading Illinois Insights – May 2021 Edition

Study Comes as Biden Administration and Illinois Lawmakers Work to Strengthen Collective Bargaining La Grange, IL: States that have enacted so-called “right-to-work” laws underperform Illinois on a range of core economic metrics—including wages, income growth, workforce productivity, poverty, and workplace … Continue reading Illinois Outperforms “Right-to-Work” States on Key Economic Metrics

July 2021 Update: This position has been filled. For full details and to apply, click here: ILEPI Research Associate. The Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) is hiring! ILEPI seeks one (1) qualified candidate to employ as a full-time Research Associate. The duties … Continue reading ILEPI is Hiring a Research Associate

Investing in infrastructure creates jobs and boosts the economy. The nation’s infrastructure has been underfunded for far too long, with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) giving U.S. infrastructure a “C-” grade. ASCE estimates that the United States needs … Continue reading Infrastructure Week 2021: Follow Illinois’ Lead with the American Jobs Plan