The Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act, 30 ILCS 570/0.01 et seq. (Illinois Preference Act), also known as the “Preference to Illinois Citizens Act”, requires contractors to use at least 90 percent Illinois laborers on all public works projects that receive State funds or funds administered by the State during a period of “excessive unemployment”. Excessive unemployment is defined as any month immediately following two consecutive calendar months that the Illinois unemployment rate exceeds five percent. Civil penalties may be imposed on employers who hire non-Illinois workers on State public works projects.