Harris v. Quinn: Everything you need to know
As early as tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court could announce its decision in the case Harris v. Quinn. Legal experts and unions across the country are closely watching this case because it could be a landmark decision on the issues of unionization and freedom of speech. The lead Plaintiff, Pam Harris, is a suburban Chicago...
As early as tomorrow, the U.S. Supreme Court could announce its decision in the case Harris v. Quinn. Legal experts and unions across the country are closely watching this case because it could be a landmark decision on the issues of unionization and freedom of speech.
The lead Plaintiff, Pam Harris, is a suburban Chicago mom whose son Josh suffers from a rare genetic defect that left him mentally and physically disabled. The Harris family is among thousands of families in Illinois who participate in a Medicaid program that offers a modest benefit to families of people with disabilities. But a few years ago, the Quinn administration issued an executive order to unionize Harris and others in this program, calling them state workers for the sole purpose of unionization. If the unionization of Harris’ program were successful – as other unionization-by-executive-order efforts have been in Illinois – government unions could make millions of dollars from forced dues it would be able to collect. (Not to mention the political leverage that this cash infusion would give unions eager to reward friendly politicians). The Illinois Policy Institute has filed an amicus brief in this case.
Illinois Policy Institute legal and union experts are available for media comment on this case. Call 312-607-4977.
Necessary reading for background on this case:
A lot is at stake in this case. Read about three possible outcomes: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/whats-at-stake-in-harris-v-quinn/
Some parents who have already been unionized are being told they could be “replaced” by state workers for clerical errors on their paperwork: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/state-threatens-to-fire-moms-and-dads-caring-for-disabled-children/
Chicago Tribune commentary: Unions haul in millions off the disabled: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/unions-making-millions-off-the-disabled/
Red flags raised by process for unionizing people who are not state workers: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/policy_posts/process-for-unionizing-non-state-workers-raises-red-flags/
Illinois Policy Institute amicus brief in Harris v. Quinn: http://illinoispolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Harris-v.-Quinn-amicus-brief.pdf
Union brass say giving women right to “choose” whether they want to be in a union is sexist: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/unions-top-brass-says-giving-women-freedom-to-choose-is-sexist/
Select recent media appearances:
CLTV’s “Politics Tonight” http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/harris-v-quinn-supreme-court-case/
Washington Examiner: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/new-questions-raised-about-decision-to-let-seiu-represent-illinois-home-health-care-workers/
Investors’ Business Daily: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/seiu-fights-to-force-home-caregivers-to-pay-union-dues/
AM 890 WLS radio in Chicago: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/harris-vs-quinn-on-wls-am-890/
Washington Free Beacon: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/seiu-racks-up-big-bucks-on-forced-unionization-in-illinois/ and http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/mother-caring-for-disabled-son-seeks-rollback-of-forced-unionization/
ABC-7 Chicago I-Team report: http://abclocal.go.com/story?section=news/iteam&id=9396583
The Hill: http://www.illinoispolicy.org/news/supreme-court-case-could-destroy-pillar-of-union-power/
AM 1020 WJPF: http://wjpf.com/episode/paul-kersey-06-27-2014/
Al Jazeera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?