Kane County Reporter

Illinois State Representative Dan Ugaste (R) voiced his support for the Blue Collar Jobs Act (BCJA) in a press release published on his official website on Thursday.

“As chair of the House Republican Reigniting Illinois’ Strong Economy working group, I’m glad to see this bipartisan legislation in action to help bring jobs to Illinois,” Ugaste said. “I was a proud co-sponsor of the Blue Collar Jobs Act in the 101st General Assembly and will continue working to create a culture of growth in Illinois for job creators. We have so much to offer, and if we commit to growth, we can be a final destination for businesses and families to settle down and thrive for generations.”

The legislative package included in the BCJA was written to promote growth and economic expansion in Illinois by incentivizing construction projects. The program supports large-scale economic development by providing corporate income tax credits to companies that make substantial capital investments in the state.

BCJA tax credits are based on wages paid to construction workers employed on eligible projects, with companies required to be located in an Enterprise Zone (EZ) or River Edge Redevelopment Zone (REDZ), listed as a High Impact Business (HIB), or have an agreement under the Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) Program.

More information on program eligibility can be found on the official Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity website.

Ugaste was first elected to represent Illinois' 65th district in the State House of Representatives in 2019. His legislative experience includes serving on the House Labor and Commerce Committee and leading the House Republican Reigniting Illinois' Strong Economy working group. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1985 and received his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University. He also served on the Lake Forest College Alumni Board as President and has been president and chair of various Bar Associations and committees, his website says.