Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has successfully recovered over $85,000 in unpaid wages for 17 workers who were employed on a construction project in Saline County. Additionally, IDOL retrieved more than $17,000 in penalties from the contractor D&D Electric, LLC.

"Illinois law requires that employees on publicly funded projects be paid a fair wage for their skilled work," stated Jane Flanagan, Director of the Illinois Department of Labor. "Making these workers whole reflects IDOL's commitment to enforcing the Prevailing Wage Act and holding employers accountable when they violate workers' rights."

The investigation into D&D Electric began in 2024 concerning its solar panel installation project in Harrisburg, Illinois. The department found that D&D had breached the State's Prevailing Wage Act by failing to classify workers correctly and compensate them adequately for fringe benefits and overtime.

Under the Prevailing Wage Act, contractors and subcontractors must pay laborers, workers, and mechanics on public works projects no less than the general prevailing rate of wages—comprising hourly cash wages plus fringe benefits—for similar work performed locally.

Furthermore, the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) ensures that new clean energy construction jobs are quality high-wage positions by mandating prevailing wage payments for projects receiving incentives through the Illinois Power Agency.

Workers who believe they have not been compensated fairly for their work in Illinois can file complaints online or contact IDOL at 312-793-2800 with inquiries.