Kentucky’s 2017 repeal of prevailing wage failed to provide any cost savings on road construction projects. That’s the takeaway from a new peer-reviewed article in Public Works Management & Policy authored by ILEPI’s Frank Manzo IV, former ILEPI Midwest Researcher … Continue reading Kentucky’s Repeal of Prevailing Wage Failed to Save Money on Highway Projects

La Grange, IL: Illinois’ plans to expand broadband infrastructure by 2025 will connect nearly 565,000 residents to high-speed internet, create nearly 25,000 jobs, grow the economy by billions of dollars, and generate sufficient tax revenues to pay for itself within … Continue reading STUDY: Planned Expansion of Illinois Broadband Infrastructure Will Create 25,000 Jobs, Boost Economy by Billions, and Pay for Itself in Less Than a Decade

La Grange, IL:  A review of 2018-2021 Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) surveys of more than 5,000 member firms nationwide reveals that nonunion construction firms are facing significantly greater workforce supply problems than their union counterparts, and that these … Continue reading Contractor Surveys: The Construction Labor Shortage is Less Severe for Union Firms

Illinois will receive at least $16 billion in road, bridge, transit, and other transportation focused funding.

Continue reading “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Transportation Funding for Illinois”

Researchers Warn That Without Local Hire Protections, Economic Benefits Would Be Muted La Grange, IL: Wisconsin’s stated goal of transitioning to 100% clean energy by 2050 could grow the state’s economy by $21 billion, create more than 34,000 jobs, and … Continue reading STUDY: 100% Clean Energy Will Grow Wisconsin Economy by $21 Billion, Create 34,000 Jobs

Being Guaranteed a $15 Minimum Wage as Employees Would Give Drivers a Raise and Strengthen Public Budgets Researchers Conclude Chicago’s Rideshare Drivers Currently Earn Less than Minimum Wage La Grange, IL: According to an analysis of Chicago area rideshare data … Continue reading STUDY: Chicago’s Gig Drivers Are Being Paid Less Than Minimum Wage

The The State of Oregon, City of Chicago, and Six Other U.S. Cities Currently Have Fair Workweek Laws on the Books La Grange, IL: As face-to-face and essential industries continue struggling to attract and retain sufficient numbers of qualified workers, … Continue reading STUDY: Fair Workweek Laws Shown to Boost Wages and Job Quality in Essential and Frontline Industries 

Laws establishing market-rate wage floor delivering best outcomes for People of Color La Grange, IL: In the first ever national study on the application of prevailing wage laws outside the construction industry, researchers from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) … Continue reading STUDY: Prevailing Wages on Service Contracts Boost Incomes, Health Insurance Coverage, and Job Stability for Custodians

Unionized Construction Experiences Significantly Fewer Violations Across Nine Midwestern States La Grange, IL:  An analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections at construction jobsites has revealed that unionized construction workers face 34% fewer health and safety violations than … Continue reading STUDY:  Unionized Construction Offers Superior Health and Safety Outcomes

Springfield acts to put I-290 in the spotlight under SJR31 La Grange:  A multi-modal infrastructure proposal that would modernize the 13-mile stretch of I-290 between I-94 and the I-88/294 interchange would create more than 22,000 jobs, reduce traffic congestion by … Continue reading NEW STUDY Says I-290 Improvements would Deliver Best Economic, Equity, Traffic Outcomes for Chicago Metro Region