HB 2961 Illinois House · 104th Regular Session

BEST INTEREST OF THE STATE ACT

Summary

Creates the Best Interest of the State Act. Provides that any collective bargaining unit, contractor, or subcontractor participating in a project labor agreement shall satisfy specified requirements to promote racial inclusion, diversity, and equity. Contains provisions concerning prequalification of collective bargaining units, contractors, and subcontractors; the determination of the demographic make-up of counties; complaints to the Commission on Equity and Inclusion; and penalties. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Local Construction Training and Development Fund. Amends the Project Labor Agreements Act and the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Apr 14, 2025 Last action May 28, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 10, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was revised to streamline language and update specific requirements for construction projects. Key changes include redefining the goal from 'racial inclusion' to 'parity statewide,' correcting a safety training requirement from 'OSHA 101' to 'OSHA 10 Safety Training,' and adding new workforce diversity quotas that increase from 10% to 15% by January 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on collective bargaining units, contractors, and subcontractors participating in project labor agreements, but the specific obligations regarding worker demographics and training have been modified.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the primary legislative goal from promoting 'racial inclusion, diversity, and equity' to promoting 'parity statewide in consideration of racial and demographic makeup.'

Corrected the mandatory safety training requirement from 'OSHA 101' to 'OSHA 10 Safety Training.'

Added new requirements for collective bargaining units to hire a specific percentage of workers reflecting minority, women, veteran, or demographic makeup standards.

TIMELINE

Established a phased implementation schedule where the new workforce diversity hiring quotas increase from 10% to 15% effective January 1, 2026.

DEFINITION

Updated the definition of 'individuals with barriers to employment' to replace the term 'Barriers to employment' and refined the criteria for inclusion.

TECHNICAL

Reorganized the 'Findings and Purpose' section to use a numbered list format for clarity and removed redundant text.

Floor votes · House Apr 10, 2025

How they voted

84–27

Passed · 7 other

Total votes 118

Apr 10, 2025

D Democratic78

74 Yea 4

94% Yea

R Republican40

10 Yea 27 Nay 3

67% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to Assignments

upper

Apr 14, 2025

Introduced

Arrive in Senate

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 084-027-001

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Labor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-000

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Labor & Commerce Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. William "Will" Davis

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Do Pass / Short Debate Labor & Commerce Committee; 017-005-002

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Assigned to Labor & Commerce Committee

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules Committee

lower

2 primary · 5 co-sponsors