McHenry Times

During the April 9 House floor session, Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) asked Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) about proposed amendments to House Bill 5412, a bill that would make contractors responsible for claims against their subcontractors.

"It limits the statute of limitations for claims down from 10 years to three years," Evans explained. "Three things that it does mainly in addition to what you mentioned: a task force and the exemption — which is a very important because ... not having this apply to single-family homes and ... individuals like me and you doing projects at our houses, I think is very important. 

Reick's response was a little blunt.

"House Bill 5412 was a lousy bill. These amendments don't do much to improve it. Vote no."

House Bill 4600 lays out that if House Bill 5412 passed, HB4600 would amend the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to create the Bond Reform in the Construction Industry Task Force to study innovative ways to reduce insurance costs across the industry while also protecting owners.

House Bill 5412 passed both chambers largely along party lines on April 9 and will await the governor's signature. It amends the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and lays out that in all contracts entered into after July 1 that the primary contractors making or taking contracts for the erection, construction, alteration, or repair of a building, structure, or other private work are liable for any debt owed to a claimant incurred by a subcontract pursuant to the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.

House Bill 4600 passed the House 74-40 and the Senate 39-18.