Categories: Chicago

Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters announces major victory against wage theft

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters (CRCC) announced today that they grabbed a major victory in the fight against wage theft. The case was related to a senior living center in Northbrook. The Illinois Department of Labor ordered the developer of the center and its subcontractors to pay $1.1 million back to the workers.

The Department said that the developer and its subcontractors failed to meet the state-certified wage and benefit rates. The Illinois Finance Authority issued the funds through bonds for the development of the Lodge of Northbrook. It was a 164-unit development project taken by Essex Corp. The CRCC filed charges against the developer and its subcontractors. According to the charges, Essex Corp. and its subcontractors committed a violation of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.

McShane Construction Corp. is the general subcontractor of Essex Corp. Essex Corp. made a carpentry contract with Horizon Carpentry Inc. Russ’s Drywall Inc. worked as a drywall contractor on this project. The Department of Labor ordered these companies to provide back pay to their employees. The Department ordered Horizon to provide back pay of $692000 to its employees.

According to the Department’s terms, Essex is enforced to pay $188000 to the employees while Russ’s is enforced to pay $249000 back to its employees. Gary Perinar, the executive secretary-treasurer of the CRCC, said, “Wage theft and the loss of tax revenue affects everyone.” Perinar added that many workers did not know their right to getting fair wages.

The research team of the CRCC discovered this injustice and reported it to the Illinois DOL. McShane was charged by the CRCC in 2018 but the company was not investigated during the tenure of the former governor, Bruce Rauner. Perinar thanked the Department of Labor working under Gov. JB Pritzker for carrying out an investigation of the case. Perinar said, “This is the largest back pay award we have facilitated in our Council’s history.”

Recent Posts

DeRozan, Kings Top Knicks as Bulls Win Thriller

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points, and Zach LaVine added 25 as the Sacramento Kings earned their third straight win, defeating…

2 days ago

Chicago Employment Index Falls to Lowest Level Since 2009

Chicago businesses recorded their weakest employment reading in more than a decade, according to new data released by the Illinois…

2 days ago

Chicago Small Businesses Enter 2026 With Cautious Outlook

As 2026 begins, small businesses across Chicagoland are adjusting expectations after a year defined by economic uncertainty, according to new…

3 days ago

Illinois Approves New Regional Transit Authority Overhaul

Illinois lawmakers have approved a major overhaul of public transportation governance in the Chicago region, creating a new regional oversight…

5 days ago

Mammoth Seek Wild-Card Push vs. Blues in Salt Lake

The Utah Mammoth will try to move back into playoff position Friday night when they host the St. Louis Blues…

1 week ago

Phillies to Meet With Free Agent Shortstop Bo Bichette

The Philadelphia Phillies have scheduled a meeting with free agent shortstop Bo Bichette, according to a report by The Athletic.…

1 week ago

This website uses cookies.