On July 28, 2023, Governor Pritzker signed into law a number of amendments to Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act (IPWA), including HB 3370, which amends the IPWA to include “power washing.” Specifically, the term “public works” under the IPWA is now revised and defined to include the following:

"Public works" also includes power washing projects by a public body or paid for wholly or in part out of public funds in which steam or pressurized water, with or without added abrasives or chemicals, is used to remove paint or other coatings, oils or grease, corrosion, or debris from surface or to prepare a surface for a coating.

Starting January 1, 2024, contractors must ensure workers performing “power washing” activities are paid the prevailing union scale in strict accordance with the IPWA. 

This is yet again, the latest effort (of many) by Illinois to expand IPWA rights and obligations to projects that have nothing to do with construction.