Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago delivery ordinance draws support, opposition
(The Center Square) – Battle lines have formed over a Chicago alderwoman’s plans to regulate last-mile delivery facilities and ban subcontracting practices.
Amazon Teamsters rallied outside City Hall on Tuesday to demand that the city council schedule a vote on the proposal by Alderwoman Julia Ramirez to mandate licensing and ban subcontracting practices.
The Chicago Delivers coalition of delivery and logistics companies urged the city council to reject the ordinance, saying it would threaten locally-owned businesses and the jobs they support while potentially increasing congestion.
Ramirez said the convenience of same-day delivery cannot come at the expense of workers or neighborhood safety.
MORE THAN $120 MILLION GIVEN TO COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY CEJA MANDATES
Five years after the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act became law, the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition said more than $120 million has been distributed to communities impacted by coal plant, mine or nuclear closures through the Energy Transition Community Grant Program, with an additional $40 million to be distributed annually until 2045.
CEJA was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on September 15, 2021.
The 2025 Resource Adequacy Study by the Illinois Power Agency, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Commerce Commission said both PJM and MISO, multi-state electrical grid operators impacting Illinois, are expected to face capacity shortfalls over the coming decade unless additional new capacity and resources are developed.
Many Illinoisans saw record-high electric bills last summer, when energy consulting firm Energy Professionals reported that ComEd’s rates increased 53% and Ameren Illinois’ rates increased 47%.
SMALL BIZ OPTIMISM INDEX DIPS
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index dipped in August to 98.7, 1.1 points below July’s highest level since August 2025, but above the 52-year average of 98.0.
The Uncertainty Index fell 2 points to 89, remaining well above the historical average of 68. NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley said taxes, inflation and worker shortages continue to impact Main Street.
REPORT: ILLINOIS CONSTRUCTION WORKER PAY IS TOPS IN U.S.
A new report says Illinois construction workers earn a median pay of $80,604 when factoring in cost of living, more than their peers in any other state.
Construction Coverage compared construction wages with regional cost-of-living differences to identify the U.S. cities and states where construction workers have the greatest purchasing power.
The report said Chicago-area construction workers earned a median cost-adjusted annual wage of $81,307 per year, more than construction workers in any other large U.S. metro.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
