Unionization in Minnesota is higher than the national average, at 14.2 percent. Veterans are among the most unionized groups in the state (21.2 percent). Unions raise wages by 11 percent and help close the racial gap in Minnesota. Continue reading “The State of Minnesota’s Unions in 2016”
A new report from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) finds no evidence for the assertion that prevailing wage “inflates” construction worker wages in Illinois. In fact, after analyzing counties along Illinois’ border, the report finds that a higher prevailing wage for operating engineers has no statistical impact on employment or turnover for men working in road construction. Instead, local market conditions are by far the primary drivers of public construction outcomes. Continue reading “Prevailing Wage Is the Local Market Rate in Illinois”
Female workers continue to experience inequality and discrimination in the Illinois labor market. Continue reading “Not There Yet: The Status of Female Workers in Illinois”
A new Economic Commentary by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute details how prevailing wage is the local market rate in Winnebago County. Continue reading “Five Reasons Why Prevailing Wage Works in Winnebago County”
A new study released today finds that organized labor still plays a role in Wisconsin’s economy, despite a decline of approximately 136,000 union members over the past decade. The study, The State … Source: The State of Wisconsin’s Unions in … Continue reading The State of Wisconsin’s Unions in 2016
What impact does international free trade have on the Illinois economy? Is it mostly good, mostly bad, or somewhere in between? How can Illinois capitalize on the benefits of trade while mitigating the losses? A new report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign investigates. Continue reading “Is International Trade Good or Bad for Illinois?”
A minimum-wage employee working full time cannot afford a modest one-bedroom apartment in Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, or Iowa. In all five Midwestern states, the minimum wage should be at least $10.00 an hour.
Continue reading “Minimum-Wage Workers Cannot Afford One-Bedroom Apartments in the Midwest”
The Wisconsin State Journal recently debunked claims that a road flagger earning the state’s prevailing wage takes home over $100,000 a year. Source: Wisconsin State Journal: “$100k A Year for Road Flaggers” Claim is Nonsense Continue reading Wisconsin State Journal: “$100k A Year for Road Flaggers” Claim is Nonsense
The majority of high-wage, low-inequality jobs in Illinois are in construction occupations, law enforcement careers, and firefighting positions. Politically-driven efforts to repeal the state’s prevailing wage law or to weaken public sector unions would decimate a majority of the middle-class occupations that remain for blue-collar workers in the state.
The State of Illinois should restore investment in wind power and other clean energy infrastructure to at least 2015 levels, according to the Illinois Economic Policy Institute in a new Economic Commentary [PDF].
Wind power generates positive impacts for the people of Illinois. Previous investments already prevent the emission of 7.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from Illinois and save 4.5 billion gallons of water every year. In addition, wind power has saved Illinois residents millions of dollars.
Continue reading “Illinois Should Restore Wind Energy Funding”
A case study from Southern Indiana demonstrates how weakening prevailing wage negatively impacts local contractors and local workers.
Continue reading “Weakening Prevailing Wage Hurts Local Contractors”
This report is the third in a five-part series on the “State of the Unions” for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. All five reports will be available at this link over the next month. A new study released today … Continue reading The State of Iowa’s Unions in 2016
The Illinois Update 