Full Text of HR0161

HR0161 LRB104 12570 ECR 23091 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Despite increases over the last several years, women still make up only 4.4% of apprentices in the construction trades in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Based on national apprenticeship data from 2023, Hispanic women make up 0.9% of apprentices in the construction industry, Black women make up 0.5%, Asian women make up 0.1%, and American Indian and Alaskan Native women make up 0.1%; and

WHEREAS, Rising costs of higher education and the resulting student loan debt, 64% of which is held by women, make apprenticeships a vital career pathway to economic stability as apprentices earn while they learn; and

WHEREAS, Median annual wages for construction workers in the Illinois building trades was $66,670 as of 2023; and

WHEREAS, The advancement and well-being of Illinois depends upon its ability to expand opportunities in its workforce that are inclusive of individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality in their chosen fields; and

WHEREAS, Union registered apprenticeship programs enable employers to develop and train their future workforce while offering apprentices affordable paths to financial security for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS, President Donald Trump has issued Executive Orders against initiatives that aim to reverse hard won progress to diversify the workforce and will further entrench systemic occupational segregation, robbing women of economic security; and

WHEREAS, President Trump has impeded the ability of the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to ensure safe, respectful, and harassment-free work sites that uphold workers' rights; and

WHEREAS, The State has invested millions of dollars in innovative programs to increase access to high-wage careers in the construction trades to all Illinoisans, including Illinois Works and the Highway Construction Careers Training Program, which have a strong record of graduating women and people of color who are underrepresented in the industry; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we affirm our steadfast commitment to equal employment opportunity and economic equity for women and all Illinoisans, and we affirm our commitment to continue to prioritize construction investments that transform not only the State's infrastructure but also its workforce; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that the State's ongoing and upcoming capital and infrastructure projects will rebuild not just roads and buildings but lives by providing good jobs that create economic stability through family-sustaining wages and benefits; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that the diversity of Illinois is its strength and that the workforce on publicly-funded projects must reflect our State with work sites composed of those from diverse backgrounds, gender identities, races, and experiences; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that Illinois contractors must uphold the State's values and workers' rights and reject workplace discrimination and harassment and must be held accountable to laws, including the Illinois Responsible Bidder Code, the Prevailing Wage Act, and the Illinois Human Rights Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that employers looking to contract with the State must adopt strong policies to protect workers from harassment and discrimination and must take action to create equal access to job opportunities and respectful, safe, and accountable work sites; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the use of all available tools, including, but not limited to, data reporting, contract language, bid incentives, public oversight, project labor agreements, and project monitoring, to ensure that contractors doing business with the State of Illinois are committed to creating access to high-road job opportunities and respectful work sites where all Illinoisans can thrive.