I’ve been hearing about this bill to override Gov Rauner’s negotiation power with the Unions. Here’s what it is about, it would be a good idea to contact your representatives encouraging them to vote against this bill – especially Representatives Fine, Drury and Sente who are are key. Here’s why.
“Illinois’ government-worker unions have been preferred players in state politics for decades. And it’s not hard to see why.Just since 2002, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Service Employees International Union and the Chicago Teachers Union – the state’s five largest government-worker unions – have spent a combined $46 million in direct contributions to political candidates.
This investment typically pays off. Government workers in Illinois belonging to AFSCME have been on the receiving end of 27 separate raises (unrelated to job performance or promotions) over the last decade of Democratic state governance.
But the union’s latest contract with the state expired June 30. So instead of having to engage in tough talks with a reform-minded governor, AFSCME and Democrats in the General Assembly crafted legislation that would remove Rauner from the bargaining process altogether. This took the form of a House amendment to Senate Bill 1229.
The bill would allow AFSCME executives to declare an “impasse” in negotiations at any time, which would immediately strip Rauner of all bargaining power and place the contract in the hands of an unelected arbitrator.
On May 29, the Illinois House passed the bill on a 67-25 vote, with three members voting present. One day later, the Senate sent the bill to the governor on a 38-17 vote. The governor rightfully vetoed the measure on July 29, but the Senate successfully voted to override his veto on Aug. 19.
If House Speaker Mike Madigan can gain the 71 votes needed to override the governor’s veto in the House, the bill will become law. He has until Sept. 5.” Read the full article and specific on Union financial contributions to political campaigns. Here’s Austin Berg’s article.
What can you do? Well take a moment and contact your representative to let them know that you want them to vote against this Bill 1229, which is really anti-democratic, we did not elect the unions.
Click here to learn how you can personally contact your state representative to let him or her know you disagree with SB 1229.
