Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

06/19/2024

The union’s federal reports show the union has suffered membership loss during the past two decades. It could be because the union’s spending priorities are completely misplaced.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

By Bryce Hill

05/29/2024

Illinois state lawmakers’ spending plans came in $410 million higher than what Gov. J.B. Pritzker originally proposed. Taxpayers will be forced to pay $1.1 billion more so Illinois can spend record amounts in fiscal year 2025.

TAGS: budget, JB Pritzker, taxes

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

By Bryce Hill

03/01/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record-setting $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan needs massive tax increases. Tax changes will hurt individuals, businesses and local governments.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Union membership in Illinois hits record low

By Mailee Smith

01/24/2024

Public and private sector unions in Illinois saw another 27,000 workers reject union membership in 2023. Just 12.8% of public and private-sector workers chose union membership, the lowest it’s been in 34 years on record.

TAGS: unions

Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke Makes Illinois corruption naughty list

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2023

Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, the “ComEd Four” and a collection of public servants in some of the highest-profile corruption cases in decades.

TAGS: Chicago, Ed Burke

Illinois still hasn’t finalized contract with state workers

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2023

The contract negotiated between the state and AFSCME Council 31 was ratified by members in July. But the final contract has yet to be released, meaning taxpayers don’t yet know how much it will cost them.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Illinois government unions celebrate Labor Day with 36,000 fewer members

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2023

Labor Day this year leaves Illinois government unions fewer members to celebrate with. It appears to be the unions’ own fault. Over 36,000 workers have distanced themselves since 2017.

TAGS: government unions

Pritzker Doles Out 19% Raises and $1,200 Stipend in Largest AFSCME Contract Ever

By Bryce Hill

08/08/2023

Illinois’ largest public employee union, AFSCME Council 31, finalized their second contract with Gov. J.B. Pritzker July 25. New pay raises will cost taxpayers $625 million.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, JB Pritzker

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

By Mailee Smith, Patrick Andriesen

06/26/2023

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Illinois state worker Mark Janus in 2018 gave government workers the ability to stop funding government union politics. Chastened unions could have reformed. Instead, they got extreme.

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

By Bryce Hill

05/27/2023

Illinois state lawmakers shorted pensions by $4.1 billion and killed scholarships for low-income students, but gave themselves pay raises and a new office building. Their budget leaves no room for error as revenue projections drop.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, pensions

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees

Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership

Illinois General Assembly OKs $1.1B in tax hikes for record $53.1B spending

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

Union membership in Illinois hits record low

Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke Makes Illinois corruption naughty list

Illinois still hasn’t finalized contract with state workers

Illinois government unions celebrate Labor Day with 36,000 fewer members

Pritzker Doles Out 19% Raises and $1,200 Stipend in Largest AFSCME Contract Ever

5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant

Pensions put Illinois’ 2024 budget in red by over $4B

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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