Will County Gazette

In a May 17 Facebook post, state Sen. Sen. John F. Curran (R-Downers Grove) reminded eligible businesses that the tax incentives in the Blue Collar Jobs Act of 2019 are now available.

"Today the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity announced that the tax incentives that passed as part of the Blue Collar Jobs Act in 2019 are now available for qualifying businesses and manufacturers," the senator said. "You can learn more about the tax incentives and apply for them here."

The Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) Tax Credit Program features four different tax credits for different classifications. The tax credits are based on the wages paid to construction workers employed on eligible projects. In order to be eligible, a company must be located in an Enterprise Zone (EZ), a River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ), designated a High Impact Business (HIB), or have an agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Program. Eligible companies may receive up to 75% income tax withholding credits for construction workers. Each program has its own eligibility requirements 

The act creates the different tax credits, and requires contractors and subcontractors associated with projects that receive credits to file certified payroll information with the Department of Labor and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

 In his Facebook post, Curran shared a statement in an attached graphic. The graphic read: “We have consistently requested that the governor implement the long-stalled Blue Collar Jobs Act that was part of the 2019 Rebuild Illinois bipartisan agreement. Manufacturers and businesses throughout the state can now begin applying for these jobs and development tax credits. This is a step in the right direction for rebuilding our economy and providing more jobs to Illinois workers.”   

Curran was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2017. His legislative experience includes serving on the Appropriations II Committee, and Assignments Committee.