Road construction workers across the state were sent home Monday — or not called in at all — with the budget-related shutdown of approximately 900 transportation projects totaling $3.3 billion, according to one of the state’s largest contractor associations.
The Illinois Department of Transportation estimates 20,000 workers are affected and an economist for the American Road and Transportation Builders has estimated a loss of $35 million in wages, sales and related economic activity in the first week alone of the shutdown. In addition to layoffs and lost sales, the shutdown is expected to increase costs by putting projects behind schedule.
“By-in-large, it’s a statewide construction shutdown. One member told me he asked people to come in, just in case there was a (budget) settlement, but he sent them home. Most asked them to stay home until there’s a resolution,” said Mike Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Builders Association.
Illinois Transportation Project Shutdown Could Cost Millions per Week, Thousands of Jobs
An email alert on Monday to road-association members advised the shutdown would continue, even though state lawmakers reported some progress toward a budget. Illinois entered its third fiscal year without a full-year budget on Saturday.
“There is no way to predict whether a budget will finally be adopted this week, or how long the IDOT shutdown caused by the failure to enact a budget will continue,” the email alert stated.
IDOT notified contractors days ahead of the start of the new fiscal year the department could no longer pay its bills as of midnight June 30 without a budget. Contractors were instructed to secure construction sites, including advisories to motorists.
