PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Vote by mail opens: Illinoisans to see Amendment 1 at top of ballot

CHICAGO (Aug. 10, 2022) — Vote by mail applications for the Nov. 8 general election open today, along with the new ability to permanently request mail-in ballots.

The first measure voters will see on their ballots is a proposed constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 1. An Illinois Policy Institute analysis shows Amendment 1 would hike families’ property taxes by over $2,100 as it enshrines government union rights in the Illinois Constitution – something no other state has done.

“Billed by supporters as the ‘Workers Rights Amendment’ or a ban on right to work, Amendment 1 would actually 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. “This means government union contracts could override hundreds of state laws and also drive up property tax bills with never-ending demands.”

What is Amendment 1? 

Amendment 1 would be the first constitutional amendment of its kind in the nation. It would place four distinct labor provisions in the Illinois Constitution:

• Allow collective bargaining negotiations over virtually limitless subjects.Government unions would have the right to bargain over virtually any subject during contract negotiations – not just salary, benefits and working conditions. These could include broad new subjects such as economic welfare issues – and the scope could never be limited by lawmakers. This could lead to longer contract negotiations and more strikes. The cost of government would go up, and Amendment 1 would guarantee an average Illinois family pays at least $2,149 in higher property tax bills during the next four years.
• Make organizing and bargaining a “fundamental right” for any public employee. It would apply the right to collectively bargain to any employee, without limitation, which could lead to a broad range of public employees such as high-ranking government workers or lawmakers unionizing.
• Prohibit lawmakers from interfering with, negating or diminishing union power.Amendment 1 would prevent any future legislation to curb collective bargaining, its terms, it subjects, or even restricting strikes for essential public workers. This would prohibit lawmakers from enacting pro-business or pro-taxpayer policies or reforms.
• Ban right-to-work laws. Illinois law already prohibits right to work and this amendment would add the ban to the constitution.

To read more about Amendment 1, visit illin.is/amendment1.

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