Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation requiring casino owner applicants to enter a project labor agreement when applying for or renewing a casino license.
Pritzker said, “Expanding access to economic opportunity through high quality jobs has been priority since Day 1 for this administration. SB 1360 meets that commitment while establishing a process that gives all hardworking men and women certainty and safe treatment.”
Under the new legislation, casino owner applicants must prove they have entered into a project labor agreement that meets the requirements of the Project Labor Agreements Act. The agreement, which applies to construction employees, protects jobs by removing the ability to bring in out-of-state workers at low wages.
State Senator Rachelle Crowe stated, “With this initiative, Illinois is working to create jobs and ensuring good paying jobs stay in downstate. By upholding promises to our local labor unions, we can express our appreciation for their local contributions.”
Assistant Majority Leader Jay Hoffman added, “This legislation is about protecting Illinois jobs, and about keeping good paying jobs downstate. I’m glad that this critical measure will ensure that we uphold our promises to our local labor unions.”
Project labor agreements must include:
- Goals for apprenticeship hours to be performed by underrepresented minorities and women.
- Procedures for resolving jurisdictional labor disputes and grievances.
- Reliable sources for skilled and experienced labor.
- Guarantees against strikes and lockouts.
- Selection of the lowest qualified responsible bidder, regardless of union or non-union status at other construction sites.
- Binding all contractors and subcontractors on the project through appropriate bid specifications in all relevant bid documents.
Renewed casino license applications must cover wages, benefits and other compensation in the project labor agreement. Any pending new casino application before the IGB must provide evidence of the project labor agreement within 30 days after the effective date.
