PERPETUAL STATE BUDGET DEFICITS and mounting debt have re-ignited claims that repeal of Illinois’ prevailing wage provisions will cut public construction costs and save taxpayers money. Critics of prevailing wage laws (PWLs) assert they inflate the costs of government contracts by compensating labor at levels higher than market wages. Contrary to opponents’ claims, findings from […]
PERPETUAL STATE BUDGET DEFICITS and mounting debt have re-ignited claims that repeal of Illinois’ prevailing wage provisions will cut public construction costs and save taxpayers money. Critics of prevailing wage laws (PWLs) assert they inflate the costs of government contracts by compensating labor at levels higher than market wages. Contrary to opponents’ claims, findings from […]
The 9 million-job shortfall induced by the late-2007 economic recession has caused states to rethink policies on employment and income growth. One proposed policy change in many struggling states is the implementation of right-to-work (RTW) laws, which limit the ability of labor unions to collect dues from the workers they represent and influence the conditions […]
“Eighty percent of the manufacturing companies in the United States say they cannot find enough workers with the proper skills to fill open positions at their facilities.” –President Barack Obama, announcing the Military-to-Civilian Skills Certification Program in June of 2012.Many corporate executives and politicians in Illinois purport that the state’s workforce does not have the […]
In the wake of the Great Recession, the Illinois economy has sluggishly improved. In most cases, working Illinois outcomes have yet to return to pre-recession levels. Nevertheless, there is reason for optimism. The labor market has made progress by almost all metrics since the lowest depths of the economic downturn.Still, much work needs to be […]
The State of Illinois confronts serious budgetary challenges. While the state’s affinity for borrowing money, inaction in providing serious tax reform, and poor investment performance are primarily responsible for this large budget deficit, the Governor and other state legislators have supported measures to limit expenditures on employment costs as quick fixes to the problem. Paired […]