The Earned Credit Program (ECP) is a voluntary program, made possible by Governor Blagojevich's $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Plan, to promote the State of Illinois employment initiative by encouraging contractors and fabricators to sponsor into applicable unions, employ and retain qualified and eligible disenfranchised African- and Hispanic-Americans, women, ex-offenders and veterans on any construction-related project in the State of Illinois.

Any union contractor/fabricator with an existing state of Illinois or Tollway construction contract or seeking to bid on future Tollway construction projects may voluntarily participate in the ECP.

By retaining an ECP participant, contractors/fabricators can accumulate bid credits at the following rates which may apply to future bids on the Illinois Tollway's Congestion-Relief Plan (CRP):

• Operating Engineers and Structural Steel Ironworkers: 50 cents for every dollar earned.
• All other skilled union trades and fabricators: 40 cents for every dollar earned.
• Skilled Laborers: 30 cents for every dollar earned.
  

Interested contractors/fabricators may contact Ruth Porter, Compliance Officer, at 630-241-6800 ext.3210, to request referrals of ECP participants to sponsor into an applicable union and employ on any job located within the State of Illinois.