Labor & Employment Law Update

On July 28, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed into law a number of amendments to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (IPWA), including HB 3792, which amends the IPWA to include, among other things, all work related to fixtures or permanent attachments affixed to traffic light and street light poles in the Act’s definition of the term “Public works” --- regardless if public funds are used or not. 

Specifically, the term “Public works” under the act is now revised and defined to include the following:

"Public works" also includes all construction projects involving fixtures or permanent attachments affixed to light poles that are owned by a public body, including street light poles, traffic light poles, and other lighting fixtures, whether or not done under public supervision or direction, or paid for wholly or in part out of public funds.

Importantly, the IPWA now applies to certain work whether or not done under public supervision or direction, or paid for wholly or in part out of public funds. The IPWA applies to essentially anything and everything related to any IL State or Municipally owned street light pole, traffic light pole, and other lighting fixture --- further expanding the law beyond actual construction work paid for with public funds.