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Illinois public works bidding requirements

Jurisdiction: State of Illinois
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Summary of record

Verified Jul 8, 2026
Competitive bidding threshold (public work)
More than $25,000 (municipal)
Governing statute
65 ILCS 5/8-9-1
Award standard
Lowest responsible bidder
Multiple-prime required?
No statewide mandate
Prevailing wage
820 ILCS 130 (no threshold)
Addenda distribution
To all document holders
Compare Illinois with every state

Competitive bidding threshold

Municipal public improvements over $25,000 must be let by competitive bidding under 65 ILCS 5/8-9-1.1 Home-rule municipalities may set their own limits by ordinance, and state agencies bid at $100,000 under the Illinois Procurement Code (30 ILCS 500).

Because home-rule municipalities can change the figure by ordinance, confirm the specific municipality's current threshold.

Award standard

Contracts go to the lowest responsible bidder.1

Multiple-prime contracts

Illinois has no statewide multiple-prime mandate. Unlike New York's Wicks Law or Pennsylvania's Separations Act, a single general contract is permitted.

Prevailing wage

Prevailing wage applies to all public works under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) — there is no dollar threshold.2

Document distribution & addenda

In Illinois, the Tollway's §102.02 requires a copy of each addendum to be delivered to every purchaser of the bid documents, issued no later than 24 hours before the opening of proposals.3

The Tollway issues addenda no later than 24 hours before proposal opening.

Record of change

Illinois requires prevailing wage on all public work — the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) has no dollar floor. Municipal bidding starts at $25,000 (65 ILCS 5/8-9-1), though home-rule municipalities may set their own limits.

  1. Verified

    Added document-distribution source: Illinois Tollway Standard Specifications §102.02 — addenda delivered to each buyer of bid documents no later than 24 hours before proposal opening.

  2. Verified

    Page created and verified against 65 ILCS 5/8-9-1 and the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130).

Sources

  1. 1. Illinois General Assembly — 65 ILCS 5/8-9-1 (municipal competitive bidding). ilga.gov
  2. 2. Illinois General Assembly — 820 ILCS 130 (Illinois Prevailing Wage Act). ilga.gov
  3. 3. Illinois State Toll Highway Authority — Standard Specifications §102.02 (Furnishing of Addenda) — copy delivered to each buyer of bid documents. agency.illinoistollway.com

Frequently asked

What is the competitive bidding threshold for public works in Illinois?
Municipal public improvements over $25,000 must be competitively bid (65 ILCS 5/8-9-1); home-rule municipalities may set their own limits, and state agencies bid at $100,000 under the Procurement Code.
Does Illinois require prevailing wages on public works?
Yes, on all public work — the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) has no dollar threshold.
Does Illinois require multiple-prime contracts?
No. Illinois has no statewide multiple-prime mandate, unlike New York (Wicks Law) or Pennsylvania (Separations Act).

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Not legal advice. This page summarizes public law from primary sources for reference. Thresholds can change; always confirm the current requirement with the governing agency before relying on it for a specific procurement.