Rep. Cavaletto Joins Chesley and Business Leaders Opposing Prevailing Wage Legislation

May 4, 2009 on 9:08 am | In News Releases | No Comments

4/30/2009

Springfield….State Rep. John Cavaletto (R – Salem) joined Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley and representatives of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, Illinois Retail Merchants Association, NFIB-Illinois and the Illinois Municipal League in opposing Senate Bill 43 in a capitol press conference held Wednesday.

Cavaletto warned of potential risks to economic growth in Illinois should the bill move forward. “This bill will require all projects in Enterprise Zones or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts to pay the prevailing wage on construction projects, even if those projects are 100% privately funded,” Eddy said.

The legislation alters the original intent of the Prevailing Wage Law, which was to ensure that public works projects, including the construction and maintenance of publicly-funded property (i.e. schools, municipal buildings, roads and bridges) followed prevailing wage guidelines.

“I have spoken out against all attempts to destroy business growth since taking office,” Cavaletto said. “The area I represent has lost 5,000 jobs in the last decade. I am very disappointed that the Democrat majority is pushing a bill that will almost certainly kill off any potential for economic development. Cavaletto speaks out on Prevailing Wage Bill

Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley offered local perspective on the potential risk to economic growth in the King City should SB 43 pass. “We have worked hard to offer incentives to businesses looking to locate in Mt. Vernon, and we have been successful in doing so,” Chesley said.

“Passing this bill will mean that businesses who would have either located for the first time, or expanded their services in our city will head to Kentucky, Missouri, or Indiana to set up shop. We can not afford another assault on business incentives in southern Illinois,” she said. Chesley speaks out on the Prevailing Wage Bill

Rep. Cavaletto is urging citizens to contact Speaker Michael Madigan’s Springfield office at 217-782-5350 and voice their concerns on Senate Bill 43.