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13th Annual Jobs Breakfast
Thank you to all our sponsors and guests for another successful Jobs Breakfast. A special thank you to Speaker Chris Welch for being our guest speaker. We also want to acknowledge Congresswoman Robin Kelly, State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr., Chair of the Labor & Commerce Committee and Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant for their remarks. And a big thank you to our labor hosts, especially Mike Clemmons from IBEW 176 for his monster speech to close us out. Check out our Gallery page for additional photos. #InSolidarity #UnionStrong
Prevailing Wage Database Allows Public to Monitor Wages Paid on Projects
SPRINGFIELD – Beginning January 1, 2022, the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) will be responsible for maintaining a database that allows the public to search certified payrolls submitted by construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. This is the result of Public Act 102-0332 that was passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Pritzker.
“This is a step toward transparency in public spending that will help keep employers accountable,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik. “It will also allow public bodies to monitor the wages paid on projects they initiate.”
In 2020, IDOL began accepting certified payroll submissions from construction contractors on public works projects subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. Contractors are required to file those certified payrolls by the 15th of each month. This is done to ensure contractors are complying with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.
By the 16th day of each month following the month work was performed, IDOL will make relevant information available to the public.
That information includes each worker's classification, skill level (such as apprentice or journeyman), gross wages paid in each pay period, number of hours worked each day, start and end times of work each day, hourly wage rate, hourly overtime wage rate, and hourly fringe benefit rate.
The database shall be searchable by contractor name, project name, county in which the work was performed and contracting public body.
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No One Else Was Going To, So These Teamsters Saved Their Own Pensions
Teamsters and members of other unions rallied at a July 2018 town hall meeting in Detroit, Michigan, to save their pensions. The $86 billion provision in the most recent economic stimulus bill will restore over 300 ailing multiemployer funds to health, and pay back retirees whose pensions had already been slashed.
Photo: Jim West, jimwestphoto.com
A special thank you to Congresswoman Robin Kelly - 2nd Congressional District for protecting multi-employer pensions. She backed every single piece of legislation to save pensions. We commend Southland Friends of Labor Executive Board member, Al Whitmon (seated - front row center - black shirt with glasses and no hat) for all his efforts the past 6 years. Al Whitmon, is the Founder of Illinois Committee To Protect Pensions. Al traveled across the country and to Washington DC several times to meet with retirees and elected officials. He is a retired Teamsters Local 710 and lives in Kankakee County.
Click HERE for the full story at Labor Notes published on March 17, 2021.