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SB 3803

DESIGN BUILD PROCUREMENT ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Cristina Castro

SB 3803 authorizes Illinois public agencies to use Design-Build procurement for construction projects, consolidating design and construction into single contracts to accelerate timelines but potentially reducing competitive bidding opportunities.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3803

Legislative bill overview

SB 3803 establishes a Design-Build procurement method for Illinois public construction projects, allowing a single contractor to handle both design and construction phases rather than the traditional separate bidding process. This streamlines project delivery by consolidating contracts and reducing the number of competitive procurement rounds required.

Why is this important

Design-Build procurement can accelerate project timelines, potentially reduce costs through integrated planning, and shift some financial risk from public agencies to private contractors. However, it represents a significant departure from traditional competitive bidding practices that have governed Illinois public construction for decades, affecting how taxpayer funds are spent on infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Reduced competition and transparency: Combining design and construction into a single contract may limit the number of bidders and reduce opportunities for smaller firms or design professionals to compete separately
  • Quality and cost accountability: Critics worry that integrated contracts may prioritize speed over quality, and make it harder to identify cost overruns or design deficiencies since responsibility is consolidated
  • Prevailing wage and labor standards: Unclear how existing prevailing wage requirements and apprenticeship programs will apply when design and construction phases are combined under one entity

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

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