SPRINGFIELD – As the nation begins the celebration of National Engineering Week, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC Illinois) has unveiled its 2023 Legislative Agenda focused on retaining and recruiting engineers to deal with a skills-gap shortage while protecting Rebuild Illinois.
The agenda includes several pieces of legislation that will prioritize the development of engineering talent for the workforce, promote engineering innovation, protect engineering companies and ensure Illinois’ Road, transportation and physical infrastructure projects continue to be well-funded by the state and completed by the most qualified professionals in the industry. This strong emphasis on developing a pipeline of workers to keep our state competitive follows Governor Pritzker’s remarks during his budget address last week.
Data from the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show the nation’s engineering workforce is already at full employment and employment in architecture and engineering occupations is projected to grow six percent from 2020 to 2030 which is insufficient to meet demand. The ACEC Research Institute’s analysis of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) also indicates that an additional 82,000 engineers and other professionals are needed to deliver the projects funded under the program. With current historic funding for new and ongoing projects under the ReBuild Illinois Act and current high demand for skilled engineers, thousands of engineering positions in Illinois will remain unfilled if adequate attention is not given to engineering workforce development.
“Illinois engineering companies are already working on the most important infrastructure projects in the state but there is an urgent need to increase investments in education, training and development of the workforce to meet unprecedented industry demand,” said Kevin Artl, President and CEO of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. “We are proud to lead these legislative efforts and work with our political leaders to ensure that training and development of the engineering workforce is given top priority and engineering companies get the support they need to innovate, thrive and deliver the state’s most critical transportation and physical infrastructure projects.”
Some of the pieces of legislation in ACEC Illinois’ 2023 Infrastructure Agenda aims to provide for training and retention of engineering talent through tax credits and attract more R&D development programs to the state. Legislation on the agenda will also protect engineering companies from frivolous litigation and allow provision of student loan repayment assistance to qualified engineers who meet certain requirements to encourage them to work for the Illinois Department of Transportation on the state’s most critical infrastructure projects.
“The need for our members to find qualified engineers and skilled construction workers to ensure timely completion of new and ongoing projects is now one of the most pressing issues in our industry,” said P.J. Fitzpatrick, Board Chair of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. “We look forward to working with our legislative leaders to find solutions to the challenges of workforce shortages and its effect on infrastructural development during the current legislative session.”
“Rebuild Illinois was a game changing legislative initiative and our industry is working every day to fulfill its promise,” said Linda Moen, Chair-elect of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. “With legislative support, Illinois engineers will continue to ensure that the state remains a global leader in infrastructural development.”
ACEC-IL 2023 Legislative Agenda
- Preserve REBUILD Illinois: In order to keep Illinois’, promise to citizens to repair, maintain and upgrade Illinois’ infrastructure to support a 21st Century economy, ACEC Illinois will oppose efforts to roll back funding for ReBuild Illinois. Legislation, such as HB 1575, that would undo the state’s infrastructure improvement program would be actively opposed by ACEC Illinois.
- State Innovation Tax Credit (HB2423) (SB 2084): This legislation creates a State of Illinois innovation tax credit that would be administered by the Department of Revenue, rather than the IRS, aiding in the state’s goal of attracting more research and development programs to Illinois. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Marty Moylan and Senator Don DeWitte.
- Retain Illinois Students of Engineering (RISE) Tax Credit (HB 2425) (SB 2282): Helping attract and retain engineers as the industry faces a shortage of educated talent, this legislation provides for a tax credit of 10% of the salary paid to recent graduates of Illinois’ engineering schools and 5% of the salary paid to recent graduates of engineering schools outside of Illinois. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Marty Moylan and Senator Ram Villivalam.
- Incentivize Engineering Talent for IDOT (HB 2424) (SB 2190): With shortages in qualified engineers facing the industry, this legislation would enable IDOT to provide student loan repayment assistance to qualifying employees that meet certain requirements, helping to incentivize educated professionals to work on the state’s highest priority infrastructure projects. This legislation is sponsored by Michael Marron and Senator Ram Villivalam.
- Certificate of Merit for Civil Suits (SB 1615): To reduce the cost of frivolous litigation, this legislation would require a civil engineer to sign an affidavit certifying that malpractice may have taken place in his or her professional opinion before a suit can be filed against an engineer or firm. This legislation is sponsored by Senator Don DeWitte.
- Knowledge Transfer Innovation Act (HB 2559): To ensure Illinois’ most innovative engineering firms are able to share their cutting-edge technology and design approaches with state agencies, this legislation allows for greater communication and knowledge transfer between the private and public sector. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Marty Moylan.
- Commitment to Qualifications Based Selection Process Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) Processes have proven to protect taxpayers, drive innovation, encourage diversity, and deliver projects on-time and on-budget. This resolution will renew the state’s commitment to QBS which is already the long-standing policy of the State of Illinois, considered the industry standard, and is required by law in 46 states. This measure will be introduced as a resolution.
About the American Council of Engineering Companies
Representing hundreds of companies, we are the voice of the engineering industry in Illinois. With roots dating back more than 100 years, ACEC Illinois represents more than 11,000 engineers, architects, land surveyors and other specialists. Our primary mission is to strengthen the business environment for our member firms through government advocacy, political action, and business education. For more information, visit www.acecil.org.