IDOL Secures Nearly $400,000 in Back Wages for Workers Under Prevailing Wage Act
The agency said three employers violated Illinois prevailing wage rules, affecting 29 workers across DuPage, Jackson and Henry counties.
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has recovered significant unpaid wages and assessed penalties against three employers found in violation of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (PWA), reinforcing the agency’s commitment to protecting workers and ensuring a level playing field for law-abiding contractors.
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In separate enforcement actions, IDOL recovered a combined total of more than $398,000 in back wages for 29 workers.
General Energy Corp. Following an investigation spanning five worksites in DuPage County, IDOL identified violations affecting 16 employees. The employer misclassified workers by trade and failed to pay the correct prevailing wage rates, including required fringe benefits. As a result, approximately $296,000 in unpaid wages were recovered, and more than $59,000 in penalties was assessed. The employer admitted the violations.
Lake of Egypt Docks At a single worksite in Jackson County, eight employees were impacted by multiple violations, including trade misclassification, failure to comply with certified payroll reporting requirements, and noncompliance with overtime pay obligations under the PWA. IDOL determined the owner owed approximately $75,000 in unpaid wages and assessed nearly $15,000 in penalties.
Empire Electric An IDOL investigation in Henry County determined the employer paid the incorrect base and fringe benefit rates to employees and committed a trade classification violation by using an apprentice electrician classification when the employee was not enrolled in a recognized apprenticeship training program. IDOL recovered more than $28,000 in underpayments for five employees and the employer paid more than $5,600 in penalties.
“Illinois laws require companies engaged in public construction to classify workers correctly and pay them the full wages they are owed for time worked,” said IDOL Director Jane Flanagan. “Employers who violate these laws not only harm their employees but also undermine fair competition in the construction industry.”
In fiscal year 2026, IDOL recovered more than $906,000 for workers under the Prevailing Wage Act.
The Illinois Department of Labor remains committed to enforcing the Prevailing Wage Act and protecting workers’ rights across the state. Employers are encouraged to review their practices and ensure full compliance with all wage and reporting requirements.
For more information about the Prevailing Wage Act and compliance resources, visit labor.illinois.gov/pw.
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