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

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

Meet the Illinoisan at the center of a historic Supreme Court case

By Austin Berg

02/22/2018

A Janus victory would end forced fees for government workers nationwide.

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

US Supreme Court to hear arguments in landmark labor case, Janus v. AFSCME

By Mailee Smith

02/21/2018

For the last four decades, millions of government workers across the nation have faced an unfair decision: Pay fees to a union, or lose your job. But Janus v. AFSCME could restore government workers' constitutional rights to freedom of speech and association.

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

CTU merger with charter school union is bad for both students and teachers

By Mailee Smith

01/31/2018

The Chicago Teachers Union's hold over the lives of Chicagoans will grow through its merger with ChiACTS, the union representing Chicago-area charter school teachers.

TAGS: charter schools, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, unions

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2018

By Vincent Caruso

12/22/2017

After a punishing 2017, Illinoisans are in dire need of reform from Springfield.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, gerrymandering, higher education, income tax, Mike Madigan, pensions, property taxes, term limits, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, unions

Illinois’ government union laws drive up costs as negotiations drag on

By Mailee Smith

12/15/2017

Unlike most of its neighbors, Illinois places no limits on the types of provisions that can be negotiated into government worker contracts.

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

Illinois flunks new nationwide fiscal report card

By Vincent Caruso

11/15/2017

The Land of Lincoln received the lowest possible grade in budget forecasting and legacy costs.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, Illinois General Assembly, interest, pensions, transparency, unions

AFSCME pay decision reveals high cost of government worker unions

By Mailee Smith

11/09/2017

An Illinois appellate court ruled Nov. 6 the state must pay “step” raises to the approximately 35,000 state workers represented by AFSCME – a cost that burdens already overtaxed Illinoisans.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, labor, unions