A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Labor says Fayette County not the first government body to vote against a prevailing wage ordinance. Ben Noble with the Illinois Department of Labor says the votes are mostly symbolic with those that have voted against the prevailing wage ordinances in the past. And, Noble says the government body normally pays the prevailing wage rate anyway. According to an April 2018 review of the prevailing wage act by Robbins Schwartz law firm in Chicago, if a public entity does not ascertain prevailing wage rates by June, the Department of Labor’s prevailing wage rates will determine the rates for the county. And while there is no established penalty for a public body who does not approve a prevailing wage ordinance or resolution, it is illegal for public bodies, contractors and subcontractors to pay less than the prevailing wage rates for projects paid for with public funds. In other words, not passing the prevailing wage ordinance is one thing, because you can still pay the rate. Noble says that if you did not pay the prevailing wage rate, then you could be subject to complaints. The Fayette County Board at their meeting on Tuesday night voted 10 to 1 to defeat the prevailing wage ordinance.