Illinois state worker case could bring Right to Work to public sector workers in all 50 states
Illinois state worker case could bring Right to Work to public sector workers in all 50 states
The public employees in Janus v. AFSCME have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stop the state of Illinois from forcing workers to pay union fees as a condition of government employment.
By Mailee Smith
In East Aurora, battle over busing is just the tip of the iceberg
In East Aurora, battle over busing is just the tip of the iceberg
In East Aurora, Illinois, the District 131 school board has approved a proposal to provide bus transportation for students, but the teachers union has balked at a quick implementation of the plan.
By Mailee Smith
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
SB 1905 designed to ban local Right to Work in Illinois
The Illinois House Labor and Commerce Committee has passed a bill to prohibit municipalities in Illinois from enacting local Right-to-Work measures. The bill now heads to the full House of Representatives for a hearing.
By Jim Long
More than 200 Cook County corrections officers call in sick for Mother’s Day
More than 200 Cook County corrections officers call in sick for Mother’s Day
The 206 corrections officers who called off are a significant improvement from Mother’s Day 2016, in which more than 460 corrections officers called off.
By Brendan Bakala
East Aurora teachers union puts brakes on school busing
East Aurora teachers union puts brakes on school busing
Unionized teachers in East Aurora demonstrate that unions are willing to put their own agendas above the wellbeing and education of students.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois
Illinois Senate bill intended to kill local worker freedom laws in Illinois
The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to overturn municipal Right-to-Work ordinances and prevent Illinois localities from expanding worker freedom in their communities.
By Amy Korte
Union representing Illinois state nurses has a history of prioritizing union jobs at all costs
Union representing Illinois state nurses has a history of prioritizing union jobs at all costs
Privatizing some medical services provided to inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections could potentially save the state $8 million a year. But the Illinois Nurses Association has a history of doing all it can to keep taxpayers on the hook for that money – and for union jobs that might not even be necessary.
By Mailee Smith
What Noble charter teachers need to know before unionizing
What Noble charter teachers need to know before unionizing
A group of teachers in the Noble Network of Charter Schools are seeking union representation. Here’s what Noble teachers need to know before voting to unionize.
By Mailee Smith
Noble teachers beware: Unionizing invites CTU involvement in your school
Noble teachers beware: Unionizing invites CTU involvement in your school
Teachers seeking union representation in the Noble Network of Charter Schools may want to think again. Unions cause more harm than good for both students and teachers. The Chicago Teachers Union provides an up close and personal look at the disastrous impact unions would have on charter schools.
By Mailee Smith
SB 19: A bill preserving union jobs at all costs
SB 19: A bill preserving union jobs at all costs
A bill sitting on Gov. Bruce Rauner’s desk is all about preserving union jobs – placing union priorities above the people of Illinois.
By Mailee Smith
General Assembly passes SB 19, which would hinder care for IDOC inmates and saddle taxpayers with unnecessary costs
General Assembly passes SB 19, which would hinder care for IDOC inmates and saddle taxpayers with unnecessary costs
Senate Bill 19 could prevent the state from providing the best, most cost-effective medical services for inmates in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and it forces the state to pay for employees that may not be necessary.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME blurs the lines between ‘representational’ and ‘political’ spending, to the detriment of fair share payers
AFSCME blurs the lines between ‘representational’ and ‘political’ spending, to the detriment of fair share payers
Government workers in Illinois can opt out of union membership, but they still have to pay fees to the union. Those fees are not supposed to go toward political activities, but a close look at AFSCME’s most recent union report demonstrates how unions use fair share fees for activities most people would consider “political.”
By Mailee Smith
Illinois Supreme Court’s denial of quicker AFSCME appeal means taxpayers still on the hook for millions each month
Illinois Supreme Court’s denial of quicker AFSCME appeal means taxpayers still on the hook for millions each month
AFSCME obstructed progress for months on a new contract for state workers. Whether AFSCME and the state are at impasse in negotiations now sits with the Illinois courts – and the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision not to take a direct appeal of the case means taxpayers must continue to pay an additional $35 million to $40 million each month in health care costs alone.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois AFSCME workers receive, on average, nearly $110,000 in total compensation
Illinois AFSCME workers receive, on average, nearly $110,000 in total compensation
The highest state worker salaries in the nation, overtime pay, generous state pensions, taxpayer-subsidized health care coverage and free retiree health insurance for career workers combine to give the average Illinois AFSCME worker six-figure annual compensation.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner