AFSCME wants the state to hike taxes on Illinois residents to fund the union’s demands for salary and benefit increases.

Familiarity with labor law terminology helps Illinoisans understand the impact of government-worker unions and the need for labor reform in the state.

Illinois taxpayers have won a partial victory in the first round of impasse proceedings between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, as the administrative law judge’s ruling puts the state closer to implementing its last contract offer to state AFSCME workers.

An administrative law judge could issue a decision as early as Sept. 1 on whether Illinois state workers and the governor are at an impasse in contract negotiations. Here’s a rundown of the proceedings between Illinois’ largest government-worker union and the state, as well as their potential impact on residents and state employees.