Des Plaines aldermen only narrowly favor ending union-friendly bidding rules

Des Plaines aldermen Tuesday took the first step in trying to get rid of controversial union-friendly city bidding rules, but they still might not have enough votes to make it stick.

A majority of aldermen at a council meeting Tuesday night supported overturning the city's responsible-bidder ordinance, which requires companies bidding on city contracts over $25,000 to have active apprenticeship and training programs approved and registered with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Critics say the ordinance has cost the city money since it's led to low bids being rejected, while supporters say the rules ensure quality work on city projects.

While the council voted 4-3 Tuesday to overturn the ordinance in a first reading vote, five votes would be needed to win passage on a second reading vote, scheduled for Sept. 21. One alderman, Malcolm Chester, was absent from Tuesday night's meeting, and he has said he is undecided on the issue.

Still, Mayor Matt Bogusz vetoed a previous attempt to overturn the ordinance in 2013, and six votes would be needed to overturn a mayoral veto.

Bogusz said Tuesday he continues to support the ordinance, which gives the city “the best labor for the dollar.”

Some aldermen asked for the issue to be reconsidered after low bids had to be rejected in four instances since 2012, when the ordinance was passed. That's led to a $119,000 difference in price between the rejected low bids and the next lowest, city officials say.

Alderman Jim Brookman, the lone alderman to originally vote against the ordinance in 2012, said the rules decrease competition and drive up costs. He believes the city staff does an adequate job checking references and making sure contractors that are hired do quality work.

Members of labor unions were also there Tuesday to support keeping the rules.

Brookman, Patti Haugeberg, Mike Charewicz and Denise Rodd voted to overturn the bidding rules, while Jack Robinson, Don Smith and Dick Sayad were in favor of the rules staying as is.

Rodd and Sayad were on opposite sides of the issue when the council considered overturning the ordinance in 2013.