Peoria-based manufacturing giant Caterpillar announced Dec. 14 it will lay off even more employees – another blow to CAT employees in the state and around the globe. Yet while too many Illinoisans struggle under the state’s faltering economy, AFSCME continues to demand more pay and more benefits for state workers.

AFSCME's demands would cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the course of the contract.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, desperate to avoid the implementation of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s contract offer, filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Labor Relations Board, claiming the board violated the Open Meetings Act in reaching its decision that AFSCME and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations. The labor board met Dec. 13 and reissued the decision it announced at its meeting Nov. 15 and in writing Dec. 5 – that the state and AFSCME are at impasse.