CHICAGO (March 1, 2017) – Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit will hear oral arguments in Janus v. AFSCME, a case challenging mandatory “fair share” union fees paid by government workers in Illinois. The plaintiffs in this case are two employees of Illinois government who are represented by the Liberty Justice Center and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation.

Illinois law forces most employees of state government to pay money to a union as a condition of keeping their jobs. Even though state employees aren’t forced to be full-fledged union members, they are required to pay “fair share” fees to the union regardless of whether they want union representation. This lawsuit seeks to end that practice on the grounds that these fees violate the plaintiffs’ First Amendment rights.

In the brief presented to the 7th Circuit, the Liberty Justice Center and National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation have asked the appellate court to affirm the federal district court’s decision so this case can advance to the U.S. Supreme Court.

WHAT: Lawyers from the Liberty Justice Center and the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation will challenge mandatory union fees dues at the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

WHO: Jacob Huebert, senior attorney at the Liberty Justice Center

WHEN: Commentary available before and after the court appearance, which will begin at 9:30 a.m.

BACKGROUND:

• Two employees of Illinois government are the plaintiffs in the case. They pay fair share fees to AFSCME Council 31 and Teamsters Local 916.
• If the case is dismissed, the next step will be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• In 2016, after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a split decision on a similar case that challenged the constitutionality of required union fees dues, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association.  

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