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Committee recommends responsible‑bidder ordinance for construction projects
Summary
After review, the Committee recommended that the Village Board adopt an ordinance codifying a responsible‑bidder standard for construction projects over $25,000, intended to promote workforce development and reduce project delays.
The Committee of the Whole voted to recommend that the Village Board adopt an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 16 to establish criteria for determining a responsible bidder on village construction projects above a $25,000 threshold.
The measure, described by staff as codifying practices the village already uses, requires bidders to meet licensing, insurance and past‑performance standards and encourages participation in registered apprenticeship and training programs. Staff said the village already includes these terms in procurement templates but lacks an ordinance backing them up.
Staff explained the proposed responsible‑bidder ordinance (RBO) is intended to promote “fair, open and competitive bidding,” to improve project performance and to encourage workforce development by incentivizing apprenticeship participation. The presentation noted neighboring suburbs use similar ordinances; the village’s draft applies the RBO to construction contracts greater than $25,000, a threshold chosen to align with the village’s existing procurement practices.
Some trustees asked whether the RBO would effectively require union contractors; staff and legal counsel said the apprenticeship and training language does not mandate union membership and non‑union firms may qualify if they operate registered apprenticeship programs approved by the U.S. Department of Labor or Illinois Department of Labor. Trustees also asked about impacts on small landscapers and other contractors who commonly bid under $25,000; staff noted the $25,000 threshold reduces the ordinance’s effect on smaller vendors.
Trustee Josie Lawler moved to recommend adoption; the motion passed on roll call with Trustee Jesse Healy recorded as the sole no vote. The committee directed the ordinance to the board of trustees for consideration; staff will finalize ordinance language and supporting contract templates before the board vote.
The action codifies a policy the village has been using in practice for several years, according to staff, but adds explicit ordinance language and apprenticeship-related criteria for the construction‑contracting context.
