Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

By Hannah Max

06/27/2022

The majority of the support for a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on Illinoisans comes from union coffers, with nearly $5 million donated so far. Unions also funded the failed progressive tax push in 2020.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, tax hikes, taxes, unions

Amendment 1 sponsor sentenced to prison for union ghost payroll scheme

By Dylan Sharkey

06/22/2022

Former state Sen. Thomas Cullerton was sentenced to one year in federal prison for embezzlement from a no-work union job. He sponsored the Amendment 1 proposal to make government unions nearly untouchable in Illinois.

What Illinois businesses need to know about Amendment 1

By Dylan Sharkey

06/10/2022

Amendment 1 would enshrine permanent power for public unions in the state constitution which could mean higher taxes, higher costs, and potentially costly litigation for business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, unions, workers rights

Unintended consequences: Amendment 1 could allow prisoners to unionize

By Amy Korte

06/09/2022

There’s been a 50-year national push to unionize inmate workers in prisons – including a 2020 article published by Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. The rights granted in Amendment 1 to all “employees” could result in Illinois prison unions.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, prison, unions

Unions backed doubling gas tax, now push disguised tax hike amendment

By Hannah Max

06/02/2022

The same unions that supported doubling the gas tax in 2019 donated $15 million to politicians who voted for Amendment 1, a proposed tax hike sold as a “workers’ rights” amendment.

TAGS: Amendment 1, gas tax, government unions, JB Pritzker, taxes, workers rights

How Amendment 1 could give Illinois more arsonists as fire chiefs

By Perry Zhao

05/24/2022

An admitted arsonist was able to become a fire chief and part-time police officer thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s pardon. A proposed constitutional amendment could make it easier for violent felons to work in public safety – even without a pardon.

TAGS: Amendment 1, unions

How Chicago Teachers Union sold $8.1M high-rise, hid cash from oversight

By Patrick Andriesen

05/19/2022

Chicago Teachers Union leaders made $8.1 million selling property paid for with union member dues, only to shuffle the proceeds to a charity with less oversight. Members are voting May 20 for transparency from new leaders.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, teachers union

Amendment 1 could make bad Illinois business climate worse

By Ann Miller

05/17/2022

A Rockford family and their trucking business are being driven out of Illinois by high taxes and bad public policies. If voters agree Nov. 8 to enshrining public union power in the Illinois Constitution, expect more businesses and workers to leave.

TAGS: Amendment 1, economic recovery, government unions, unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union election May 20 could affect frequency of strikes

By Mailee Smith

05/17/2022

CTU has walked out on students three times in three school years. The outcome of its upcoming leadership election pits the status quo against potential change – and could alter the political trajectory of the nation’s most militant teachers union.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, election, strike

Amendment 1 would allow secret government union contracts

By Hannah Max

05/16/2022

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires open access to government union contracts. But Amendment 1 would allow union leaders to override state law to make those contracts secret.

TAGS: Amendment 1, contract, government unions