MEDIA AVAILABILITY from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Polls open for Nov. 8 general election 
Illinois Policy Institute experts available to comment on Amendment 1, the issue at the top of the ballot

CHICAGO (Nov. 8, 2022) — Voting polls have opened for the Nov. 8 general election today and Illinois residents can cast their in-person votes at locations statewide.

At the top of their ballots, Illinoisans will vote to decide the fate of Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that enshrines and expands government union power in the Illinois Constitution to a level no other state has granted. The amendment would allow government unions to use the new and unprecedented phrase “economic welfare” to negotiate for near-limitless provisions, which taxpayers would be forced to fund through property tax increases or other new taxes and fees.

An Illinois Policy Institute analysis shows Amendment 1 would lock in a $4 billion statewide property tax hike by 2026. The typical homeowner will pay over $2,100 more in additional property taxes during the next four years. Government unions’ new demands and their unpredictable costs under Amendment 1 would likely increase property tax rates beyond their expected growth.

“Amendment 1 would grant government union leaders more power than state lawmakers or even voters have,” said Mailee Smith, director of labor policy for the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute. “Government union contracts could override hundreds of state laws and drive up taxes statewide with never-ending demands. Illinois residents would be powerless to stop it.”

Illinois Policy Institute experts are available for remote and in-person interviews in Chicago and around the state to discuss what voters need to know about Amendment 1.

What would Amendment 1 do?

• Allow government union leaders to override more than 350 existing state laws, including standards and background checks for employees who work with children.
• Worsen Illinois’ business climate. Amendment 1 would likely increase taxes on Illinois businesses by at least $1.8 billion by 2026, deterring growth.
• Thwart simple, pro-taxpayer reforms by crowding out government services for special-interest causes and encouraging further corruption in Illinois. Lawmakers and the people they represent would never be able to override government union contracts.
• Potentially keep more families out of school. The Chicago Teachers Union set a precedent for Amendment 1 when the union attempted to strike over politicized demands in 2019. The amendment will increase the opportunity for all Illinois’ government unions to call similar strikes.

To learn more about Amendment 1, visit illin.is/studyguide.

For bookings or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.