WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2336

DESIGN BUILD-HIGHER EDUCATION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois higher education institutions may use design-build contracting for construction projects, combining design and construction phases with a single contractor to potentially reduce timelines and costs.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2336

Legislative bill overview

SB 2336 authorizes Illinois higher education institutions to use design-build contracting methods for capital construction projects. This approach allows institutions to hire a single entity to handle both design and construction phases simultaneously, rather than using the traditional sequential design-then-bid-then-build model. The bill is currently in the Senate Assignments Committee with a pending amendment.

Why is this important

Design-build contracting can potentially reduce project timelines and costs by 10-20% through streamlined coordination and early contractor input on feasibility. However, it also concentrates significant power with one contractor and reduces competitive bidding opportunities, which has both efficiency and equity implications for public institutions spending taxpayer funds on campus infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Reduced competitive bidding: Traditional methods require separate bids for design and construction; design-build reduces competition and may lead to higher costs despite efficiency claims
  • Quality and oversight concerns: Single-entity accountability could either improve coordination or obscure responsibility if problems arise during the blended design-construction process
  • Public fund accountability: Design-build contracts are less transparent than traditional methods, raising questions about how public institutions ensure taxpayer money is spent wisely and competitively

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.