Christian Fogal
Christian Fogal
"My argument is they’re not fulfilling their contract because they’re more focused on politics and political activism than they are on benefits."
Illinois teachers’ unions funnel nearly $3.9 million to Madigan
Illinois teachers’ unions funnel nearly $3.9 million to Madigan
Teachers’ unions have provided lots of campaign cash to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, who’s been implicated in a bribery scandal. Teachers who don’t want their money sent to a corrupt system can opt out of the union.
Illinois government unions give Madigan $10 million reasons to stay together
Illinois government unions give Madigan $10 million reasons to stay together
The state’s government unions have heavily funded the election committees run by longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan – who then uses his influence to pass union-friendly bills.
Karena Cozad
Karena Cozad
"There’s no benefit to [being in the union.] As far as I’m concerned, union [leaders] seem to be out for themselves."
Illinois state workers receive $1,300 pay raises July 1
Illinois state workers receive $1,300 pay raises July 1
State workers represented by AFSCME Council 31 will see pay increases averaging $1,343 starting July 1. Total cost of the raises is $261 million as COVID-19 continues depleting state revenues.
Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
Illinois lawmakers pass Election Day holiday for government workers only
Election Day 2020 would be a paid holiday for all government workers – at an unknown cost to already ailing local governments.
Illinois bill would make Election Day a holiday, but only for government workers
Illinois bill would make Election Day a holiday, but only for government workers
Tucked into sweeping vote-by-mail legislation is a holiday provision that would make Nov. 3, 2020, a holiday for all state and local government workers.
Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues
Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues
While members can opt out of CTU at any time, the union says they may only stop paying the union if they do so during a one-month period. A lawsuit filed against the union argues this violates teachers’ First Amendment rights.
Despite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises
Despite economic crisis, Pritzker won’t consider postponing $261 million in state raises
With more than 755,000 Illinoisans out of work, state employees are still scheduled to get their automatic raises. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is treating those raises as non-negotiable. Governors in other states would disagree.
Illinois scheduled to give $261M in automatic pay raises to state workers
Illinois scheduled to give $261M in automatic pay raises to state workers
Pritzker should join other Democratic governors in postponing automatic pay raises, which would free up funds for needy Illinoisans and potentially preserve state worker jobs in the long run.
Lawmakers seek to place nation’s first job-killing amendment in Illinois Constitution
Lawmakers seek to place nation’s first job-killing amendment in Illinois Constitution
A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit right-to-work laws in Illinois, making Illinois the only state in the nation to ban the policy in a state constitution.
Chicago teachers who don’t want to fund CTU leadership’s politics have options
Chicago teachers who don’t want to fund CTU leadership’s politics have options
Leaders of Illinois’ largest local teachers’ union received swift blowback after their latest push into public politics. Members dissatisfied with the priorities of their union’s leadership deserve to know they have other options.
How Illinois unions re-gifted member dues to Madigan for sexual harassment settlement
How Illinois unions re-gifted member dues to Madigan for sexual harassment settlement
So who wants to fund a highly unpopular politician’s sexual harassment settlement on behalf of a disgraced political worker under federal investigation? Executives at Illinois’ largest public-sector labor unions.
SEIU member dues fund Madigan campaign’s defense in sexual harassment lawsuit
SEIU member dues fund Madigan campaign’s defense in sexual harassment lawsuit
SEIU’s political action committees gave $113,200 to Friends of Michael J. Madigan – the same election committee the longtime Illinois House speaker used to pay legal fees in a sexual harassment lawsuit against his organization.