This week’s The Policy Shop comes from Mailee Smith, staff attorney and director of labor policy at the Illinois Policy Institute. The subjects: People are rejecting uber-political government unions. The numbers prove it. There has been an 18.5% drop in membership across Illinois in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31...
A former Alton labor union president pleaded guilty to transporting thousands of dollars in stolen member dues across state lines to gamble and pay for personal expenses.
Chicago Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th ward, is working on an ordinance that would limit the amount unions can donate to a candidate in an election cycle.
AFSCME Council 31’s own federal reports show 18.5% of workers have chosen to break away since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME. It could be because less than 21% of the union’s spending is on representing its members.
“I had gone to elementary school at a private school and actually still live in the town where I attended. And I loved my experience as a student. So, I started to explore the idea of my own children being able to go to the private school that I had attended as a kid and...
Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson stood with striking Chicago State University faculty. Eastern Illinois University and Governors State University are also undergoing faculty strikes.
Chicago is in line for casino gaming soon, but its success is dwindling as video gaming machines and sports betting rise.
No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.
Chicago Board of Elections stats show nearly 57% Chicagoans voted early or by mail in the primary election Feb. 28. Almost three times more voters cast their ballot by mail than during the 2o19 primary.
Winning 51% of the vote, Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teacher Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in the April 4 mayoral runoff, according to news outlets. Paul Vallas concedes.
The ComEd 4 corruption trial proves concentrated power breeds corruption. The fix? Reform the rules former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan crafted to concentrate all that power.
The campaign funding of Chicago’s mayoral candidates shows they are financially supported by very different sources. Hefty teachers union contributions to Brandon Johnson’s campaign have resulted in an unfair labor practice charge by members of the Chicago Teachers Union.