What you need to know about giving unions special treatment in Illinois’ constitution

By Mailee Smith

10/13/2021

If passed by voters in November 2022, an amendment to the Illinois Constitution would allow collective bargaining agreements to override state law forever. That gives more power to union bosses than to state lawmakers – and voters.

TAGS: Amendment 1, collective bargaining, government unions, Illinois

Government union bosses may get permanent special treatment in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

05/26/2021

A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment, SJRCA 11, would give government unions unchecked, unlimited power.

TAGS: collective bargaining, government unions, Illinois, strike

Illinois law lets police union contracts overpower state law

By Mailee Smith

03/19/2021

If the Illinois General Assembly wants to see true police reforms, it must first change the state law that gives police union contracts more power than public laws and regulations. Without that change, reforms become empty intentions.

TAGS: collective bargaining, police misconduct, police union

Illinois law makes teacher strikes easiest in Chicago out of 10 largest U.S. school districts

By Mailee Smith

10/18/2019

Teacher strikes are illegal in 8 of the top 10 largest school districts in the nation. Maybe that’s why the Chicago Teachers Union is on strike for the third time in seven years.

TAGS: Chicago, collective bargaining, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, labor, strike

AFSCME Council 31 spent just 17% of funds representing workers in 2018

By Mailee Smith

04/26/2019

Union’s own reporting shows only 17% of overall spending went for “representational activities” in 2018. Just what are Illinois public employees paying for?

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, Janus v. AFSCME

Illinois House passes bill making it easier for Chicago teachers to strike

By Mailee Smith

04/03/2019

Two of the nation’s largest government union strikes in the past decade happened in Illinois – both by the Chicago Teachers Union. And now a bill in the General Assembly would give Chicago teachers more chances to go on strike.

TAGS: Chicago, collective bargaining, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike, unions

How to make an extra $3 billion, the Illinois way

By Austin Berg

10/25/2018

AFSCME – the largest government worker union in the state – may pull off one of the most insulting waiting games in state history. The payoff? More than $3 billion, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, collective bargaining, income tax, state worker pay, taxes

Opting out of your union: A ‘how-to’ guide for Illinois teachers, public safety workers and other public employees

By Mailee Smith

06/27/2018

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision marked a new era of freedom for public servants in 22 states, including Illinois. Here’s what public sector workers need to do to secure their newly restored rights.

TAGS: agency fees, collective bargaining, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

Janus v. AFSCME ruling confirms that government unions are inherently political

By illinoispolicy

06/27/2018

Illinois Policy Institute research finds government unions often spend more on politics than representation, and political giving skews Democrat

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, free speech, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

John Tillman: Statement on the Janus v. AFSCME decision

By John Tillman

06/27/2018

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision today in Janus v. AFSCME, confirming that forced union fees are unconstitutional.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, unions

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare programs. In doing so,...

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Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students