The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has urged Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to veto SB 25, an energy bill passed by the General Assembly. The organization, which advocates for small businesses in Illinois, sent a letter outlining its concerns about the legislation.
According to NFIB, SB 25 introduces expanded project labor agreement (PLA) mandates that would apply to battery storage projects, geothermal projects, and additional community solar projects. The group argues these mandates reduce competition and increase costs by making it more difficult for non-union contractors to participate in bidding for energy projects. “PLA mandates create undue burdens for small, merit-shop contractors seeking to compete for energy projects, raising building and development costs and decreasing the number of contractors available to bid for projects,” the NFIB stated.
The organization also contends that the bill discriminates against non-union contractors and workers. “PLA mandates effectively limit these contracts to union contractors and workers, boxing out non-union, merit contractors and their workers. All contractors—union or merit—should have the opportunity to compete fairly for energy projects,” the letter says.
In addition to concerns about competition, NFIB highlighted that SB 25 extends subsidies paid by Illinois ratepayers—including small businesses—to battery storage projects and energy efficiency programs without ensuring long-term savings on electricity prices. The group points out that these increased costs will affect all ratepayers at a time when many are already facing high utility bills.
The full text of NFIB’s letter is available online.
