Sosnowski works to lower the wages of Illinois’ skilled tradespeople

Opinion

Letter: Rep Sosnowski works to lower the wages of Illinois’ skilled tradespeople

Posted Sep 28, 2018 at 6:45 PM Updated Sep 28, 2018 at 6:45 PM

In a letter read to the Boone County Board last week, Representative Joe Sosnowski, IL-69th District, detailed the ways he has tried and failed to weaken or end Illinois’ Prevailing Wage law. In short, the law states when biding to be the contractor/subcontractor on a public works project you must pay skilled workers the wage most common in the area of the project as set by the state. Contractors must keep proof they’ve done so or pay a financial penalty.

He points to HB 3675 with pride as an example of his efforts. Amongst a laundry list of items in the bill is one item where building schools would be exempt from prevailing wage laws. Generally, tradespeople who are willing to work for less than the prevailing wage are less skilled or experienced. Tradespeople who are less experienced make more mistakes. Who wants their child in a school built by less-skilled workers?

Rather than paying a wage that increases buying power and increases taxes paid, Rep. Sosnowski favors paying in wasted materials and delays. When paying less than the prevailing wage taxpayers pay more because some workers are forced to rely on food stamps and other government assistance. The Boone County Board should be focused on paying wages that allow our citizens to prosper helping our county grow. What Rep .Sosnowski favors increasing profits for construction companies by Illinois subsidizing them and keeping tradespeople from earning a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

— Wendy LaFauce, Belvidere

Above is from: http://www.rrstar.com/opinion/20180928/letter-rep-sosnowski-works-to-lower-wages-of-illinois-skilled-tradespeople