Hundreds of educators stop paying money to Chicago Teachers Union following Janus decision

By Mailee Smith

08/23/2018

At least 300 Chicago Public Schools employees have stopped paying fees to the Chicago Teachers Union after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled they could not be forced to pay the union just to keep their jobs.

TAGS: agency, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

New Jersey school district stops deducting unconstitutional union fees from all employees

By Mailee Smith

08/14/2018

One school district in New Jersey has stopped deducting union dues and fees until it has new authorizations from employees to do so – a step in line with what the U.S. Supreme Court demanded of state and local government employers and government unions in Janus v. AFSCME. Illinois governments should follow suit.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, New Jersey

Missouri’s right-to-work vote: Boon or boondoggle?

By Austin Berg

08/09/2018

Without right-to-work protections currently offered in 27 states, you pay the union or lose your job. It’s very simple.

TAGS: eric greitens, labor, missouri, right to work, unions

How an Illinois mom set the stage for monumental Janus decision

By Austin Berg

06/28/2018

What Harris has in common with Janus is immense courage. Both show the power of a single individual, an Illinoisan, to change the course of the state and the nation.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, fair share, Harris v Quinn, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, pam harris, unions

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

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, john tillman, labor, unions

Carbondale employees see raises despite deeply underwater pension funds

By Vincent Caruso

05/16/2018

As local leaders reach an agreement with the city’s public safety unions, the retirement security of Carbondale’s police and fire workers slides further out of reach.

TAGS: 401(k), budget, carbondale, collective bargaining, contract, labor, pensions, property taxes, taxes, unions

Janus v. AFSCME: A new era of freedom for government workers on the line

By Mailee Smith

05/04/2018

The Janus case could mean the restoration of government workers’ constitutional right to free speech.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, U.S. Supreme Court, unions

Bill would allow government bonuses for union members, but ban them for other state workers

By Mailee Smith

04/24/2018

Government worker unions and their allies are preparing for a potential loss in Janus v. AFSCME, doing whatever they can to bolster union ranks. One example: House Bill 5309, which would privilege union status over the interests of other state government workers.

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

Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike

By Vincent Caruso

04/03/2018

As Kane County officials prepare for union contract negotiations, county taxpayers might soon be bracing for higher property taxes.

TAGS: collective bargaining, Kane County, labor, salaries, unions

Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

Gov. J.B. Pritzker inherited a $2.8 billion budget deficit the moment he stepped into office. Next year, that deficit is projected to be $3.4 billion1. It’s the same story every budget season. But Illinois’ budget crises could be a thing of the past if the state would adopt pension reform, right-size its union contracts and...

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Budget Solutions 2020: A 5-year plan to balance Illinois’ budget, pay off debt and cut taxes

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Tracy Ross

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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