Illinois Statutes Chapter 30. Finance § 500/45-110. Former coal mining employees

(a) In this Section:

“Abandoned mined land reclamation project” means construction or construction-related professional services that are used for reclamation projects awarded by the Department of Natural Resources under the Abandoned Mined Lands and Water Reclamation Act.

“Former coal mine employee” means an individual previously employed in any capacity by a coal mining company that engaged in the extraction of coal deposits or an individual previously employed in any capacity by a coal-fired power plant.

(b) In awarding contracts for Abandoned Mined Land Reclamation Projects with a total value of more than $100,000, preference shall be given to an otherwise qualified bidder who:

When the Department of Natural Resources is to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of former coal mine employees may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so, if the bid is not more than 2% greater than the low bid.

(c) This Section does not apply to any contract for any project for which federal funds are available for expenditure when its provisions may be in conflict with federal law or federal regulation.