A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision marked a new era of freedom for public servants in 22 states, including Illinois. Here’s what public sector workers need to do to secure their newly restored rights.
Illinois Policy Institute research finds government unions often spend more on politics than representation, and political giving skews Democrat
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision today in Janus v. AFSCME, confirming that forced union fees are unconstitutional.
In a landmark labor case, the court ruled that forced union fees are unconstitutional. The decision marks the first step toward worker freedom for 5.5 million government employees across the United States – including 370,000 in Illinois.
Government workers’ union dues are passed on to state and national affiliates, which spend millions of dollars on political activities and lobbying every year.
A Janus victory would end forced fees for government workers nationwide.
SB 2838 was meant to aid school districts – and students – by providing a means for schools to recruit substitute teachers. But government union lobbying transformed it into a pro-union, pro-strike bill that hinders educational opportunities for students during teacher strikes.
The Janus case could mean the restoration of government workers’ constitutional right to free speech.
Senate Democrats killed a chance this week to rein in government spending, instead siding with government unions that prioritize their own power over the fiscal health of the state. Illinois taxpayers pay nearly $15,000 per state worker in health care costs alone under the most recent contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Government worker unions and their allies are preparing for a potential loss in Janus v. AFSCME, doing whatever they can to bolster union ranks. One example: House Bill 5309, which would privilege union status over the interests of other state government workers.
As Kane County officials prepare for union contract negotiations, county taxpayers might soon be bracing for higher property taxes.
“At two points in my life I was required to pay union dues to stay employed. “It’s been almost 25 years since I’ve been [retired from the police force]. My sense is the union is more political now. “My police union first started in the early ‘70s, late ‘60s. They came in with their organizing...
Government unions claim providing workers with a choice whether to pay fees to a union will result in "free riders" - but that claim is disingenuous.
Springfield native Mark Janus saw his case come before the U.S. Supreme Court for oral arguments Feb. 26.