The McHenry County Board passed a Prevailing Wage ordinance at last Tuesday’s meeting. Before the 20-3 vote, McHenry Republican Chuck Wheeler said the following: Prevailing wages are hourly minimum wages placed on government contracts for public work. This means that … Continue reading
I’m willing to bet that the McHenry County College Board room will be packed with the hall crowded for the consideration of a resolution to “urge the Illinois State elected officials representing the McHenry County College attendance area to create … Continue reading
Here’s what the electronic voting board looks like: This is the vote on the Prevailing Wage Ordinance. Voting in favor were Michele Aavang Yvonne Barnes Kay Bates Chris Christensen Joe Gottemoller John Hammerand Jim Heisler John Jung Jim Kearns Don … Continue reading
Besides the obvious tension between the newly-elected Republican Party Trustees and the independently-elected Township Supervisor and Highway Commissioner, the only newsworthy event was the tot-two tie on a vote to approve a state-mandeated Prevailing Wage Ordinance. Two of the three … Continue reading
A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office: Schaumburg Contractor Charged with Underpaying Union Employees and Underfunding Their Pension and Welfare Funds CHICAGO — The owner of a Schaumburg construction company intentionally underpaid his union-affiliated employees by more than $1.5 … Continue reading
An email from Lakewood Village Trustee Allen Skillicorn: For those following the race for our next State Representative – yesterday, I made a very difficult decision to step out of this race, but, ultimately, I believe it was the right … Continue reading
Ev Evertsen wrote the following addressing the tax situation in Illinois: How Business Friendly is Illinois and Why are People / Businesses Leaving? To fully understand what is ‘behind the numbers’ you really need to read what is at this … Continue reading
A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office: Former President of Chicago Construction Company Indicted in $1.9 Million Union Fraud Scheme CHICAGO — The former president of a Southwest Side construction company paid off-the-books cash wages to workers and under-reported … Continue reading
John McCarron is a part-time columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Nice enough fellow, but, based on his columns, I doubt he would object to my labeling him as a “liberal.” McCarron has come up with a suggestion that will make … Continue reading
Newly-elected Lakewood Village Trustee Paul Serwatka continues his practice of sending emails to constituents about what goes on at village board meetings. Here is his latest explanation: On June 23rd, the Lakewood Village Board held its regularly scheduled meeting. Three … Continue reading
At the last meeting, the Woodstock City Council voted 5-2 not to adopt the Prevailing Wage ordinance. Last year the Council first rejected, then, later, approved the ordinance. Ayes were were RB Thompson and Mayor Brian Sager. Voting against were newly-sworn … Continue reading
One of the themes of Governor Bruce Rauner’s speeches since taking office has been how prevailing wage requirements drive up costs. You can see local prevailing wages here. Part of the “Turnaround Agenda” bills that were introduced Friday address that … Continue reading
The following email just arrived from the McHenry County Board. Note the final part of the notice, which I’m guessing is a direct result of the suit against the County Board claiming that having eight members of the County Board … Continue reading
A press release from Allen Skillicorn: Prevailing Wage Is A Bum Deal For The Collar Counties Prevailing Wage is supposed to set a minimum hourly wage for skilled labor based on the cost of living for each of Illinois’ 102 counties. … Continue reading
An Ovtober, 2013, study from the University of Illinois concludes that repealing the Prevailing Wage Law would not cut the cost of building taxpayerr-funded buildings. (This came to my attention on Capitol Fax Blog.) You can read the summary below: … Continue reading
The Better Government Association took a look something called the Urban Weatherization Initiative–a state government program whose goal was to train workers in manly African-American areas to identify and fix energy-inefficient homes. Cutting utility bills for the poor seems to … Continue reading
I read Chicago Tribune columnist Blair Kamin’s piece this Sunday morning. The plan to circumvent prohibition of the construction of private buildings on the Lakefront is have George Lucas build it privately, then turn it over to the Chicago Park … Continue reading
One observer of the McHenry County Board meeting when a proposed Prevailing Wage Ordinance was rejected 13-10 thought some in the majority might have been encouraged by a previous rejection by the Woodstock City Council. I thought the Woodstock June … Continue reading
Unions in Illinois and elsewhere have gotten legislation passed that require those bidding on public projects to pay what is called the “Prevailing Wage.” While one may hear ads for a steel pole building on the radio for less than … Continue reading
A press release from State Senator Pam Althoff: End of Session Review Driving Out Small Business Two bills passed that target small contractors. Both HB 3223 and HB 923 impose new burdens, reporting requirements and penalties on small, non-union contractors … Continue reading
