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Broadband & the Prevailing Wage Act

What is the Prevailing Wage?

Prevailing Wage is the wages and benefits paid generally to employers engaged in a certain kind of work in a certain locality. It is specific to each trade. The prevailing wage for a lineman is different than the prevailing wage for a laborer. It is also specific to each county. The prevailing wage for a lineman in Cook County is different than it is in Pulaski County.

 

Who is required to comply with the Prevailing Wage?

Contractors on “public works” projects are required to pay the prevailing wage to all workers on the project. “Public works” are all fixed works performed by public bodies or paid for (in whole or in part) by public funds. All Connect Illinois projects are public works projects.

 

How is the Prevailing Wage calculated?

The wages are calculated by the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) via a survey conducted each summer.

 

How can I find the Prevailing Wage applicable to my project?

  1. Visit Current Prevailing Rates (illinois.gov)
  2. Select the relevant date (most likely “current”)
  3. Select the relevant county
  4. Find the relevant classification

 

Responsibilities Under the Prevailing Wage Act:

  • Grantees must notify everyone working on a project that the Prevailing Wage Act applies. Notification must be included in all bid documents and contracts, including for work performed by the grantee.
  • Contractors must pay the prevailing wage and notify subcontractors that the Prevailing Wage Act applies. They must also file certified payrolls to the Illinois Department of Labor.
  • Certified Payrolls: Certified payrolls are records that establish all the workers on a project, when they worked, and how much they were paid. Contractors on public works projects must file certified payrolls with IDOL every two weeks. IDOL will accept many different formats for certified payrolls so long as they contain all of the above information and are signed. However, they also provide the following form: certified-transcript-of-payroll.pdf (illinois.gov)

 

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