The Missouri State Building and Trade Council rallied in hopes of making Missouri lawmakers more aware of illegal immigration in the state.

The council represents 415 thousand union members and their families. 

Union officials say undocumented workers are costing Missourians.

"We're here to get the message out about the illegal immigrants and the undocumented workers that are going on in our state," said St. Ann Democratic Representative Mike Corcoran. "Much of it is served with tax payer money."

The council says Illinois reported a loss of 2.6 billion dollars in tax revenues over five years.

Missouri does not have specific numbers, but members say the loss is similar.

They also say illegal immigrants are costing Missouri workers jobs.

"We're here representing working people," said union worker Mike Mahler. "We try and get our people a good wage with good benefits so that they don't have to depend on the state for health care, they don't have to depend on somebody else for social security or to take care of them. They don't live in subsidized housing. They don't depend on food stamps."

The council says the consequences for hiring undocumented workers are not high enough to.

Members of the council want the state legislature to pass four bills that hold employees responsible for their actions, including knowingly hiring illegal immigrants.

Union workers hope that stronger penalties will stop contractors from hiring undocumented workers in the future.