SPRINGFIELD (May 17, 2016) – Late Monday, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed House Bill 580. As early as Wednesday, state lawmakers are expected to vote on whether to override the governor’s veto. This bill would remove Gov. Rauner from negotiations over the next contract for the state’s largest government union, and instead place the decision in the hands of an unelected arbitrator. This would take away taxpayers’ voice in contract negotiations, so today Illinoisans from across the state will rally in Springfield and meet with lawmakers, asking them to let the governor’s veto stand.

WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, May 17

*On-site interviews available from noon to 1 p.m.

WHERE: Third floor at the “Rail” in the Statehouse in Springfield

WHO: Interviews available with civic-minded taxpayers and Illinois Policy Action leadership

BACKGROUND: Gov. Rauner has been negotiating for more than a year with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME. This government union represents more than 35,000 state workers in Illinois. AFSCME is seeking an additional $3 billion for higher salaries and benefits, despite Illinois’ dire financial position and the fact Illinois state workers are the highest paid state workers in the nation according to new research released last week by the Illinois Policy Institute. The governor has instead asked AFSCME for a temporary salary freeze in return for merit pay and incentive bonuses, to bring the contract in line with what taxpayers can afford. Because the union is unhappy with how negotiations are going, it is seeking to remove the governor from contract talks and replace him with an unelected arbitrator. Doing so would take away taxpayers’ voices at the bargaining table and violate a tolling agreement between the union and the governor.

ONSITE MEDIA CONTACT: Judi Willard, 217-414-9379