www.illinoisepi.

org

PREVAILING WAGE BENEFITS OUR ECONOMY

Where Would YOU Rather Work?

Prevailing Wage = FASTER Growth

Average Hourly Wage in Construction

$40.00

Prosperity For All

$35.00
$30.00

The Illinois economy would

shrink by $1.1 billion

$25.00

Illinois

Indiana

Apr-15

Feb-15

Mar-15

Jan-15

Dec-14

Nov-14

Oct-14

Sep-14

Aug-14

Jul-14

Jun-14

May-14

Apr-14

$20.00

Iowa

110

Workers are up to 30
percent more productive in
states with prevailing wage
laws. Prevailing wage does
not increase total costs!

Construction Employment Growth

105
100

Construction Average
Hourly Wage Growth

Construction
Employment Growth

Illinois

+$2.07

+14,100

Indiana

+$0.22

+0

Compared to Indiana, a state without prevailing wage:

Construction wages have grown +$1.85 per hour
faster in Illinois
The construction sector added +14,100 more jobs in
Illinois

April 2014 to
April 2015

Construction Average
Hourly Wage Growth

Construction
Employment Growth

Illinois

+$2.07

+14,100

Iowa

+$0.42

+5,600

Compared to Iowa , a state without prevailing wage:

Construction wages have grown +$1.65 per hour
faster in Illinois
The construction sector added +8,500 more jobs in
Illinois

95

Illinois

Indiana

Apr-15

Mar-15

Feb-15

Jan-15

Dec-14

Nov-14

Oct-14

Sep-14

Aug-14

Jul-14

Jun-14

Apr-14

90
May-14

Index: 100 = April 2014

Larger Gain in Employment

without prevailing wage.

State and local tax revenues
would fall by $44 million.

April 2014 to
April 2015

Iowa

Sources: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages and Employment, Hours, and Earnings State and Metro Area from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at the U.S. Department of Labor . Available at: http://www.bls.gov/data/.
See: A Weakened State: The Economic and Social Impacts of Repeal of the Prevailing Wage Law in Illinois by the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, Available at www.illinoisepi.org.

1. Promotes middle class jobs with good wages

2. Supports quality infrastructure that is safe and durable
3. Is the best deal for taxpayers

Prevailing
Wage

4. Promotes a skilled workforce that completes

jobs right, on-time, the first time
5. Strengthens state and local economies