Why is it still a radical idea that subcontractors and vendors should be paid promptly for work properly performed? While a lot has changed about this aspect of the construction industry, old forms of payment abuse continue and some new ones are becoming popular. If the industry doesn't reform itself, I promise that subcontractors will push for new laws against these practices.
When my Chicago firm, Bigane Paving, works as a subcontractor, most final payment on public work comes about a year after completion, but it can take as long as five years after completion. We have more than one project subcontract that, while completed in 2007, is still open.