On Sept. 2, a state administrative law judge issued a 400-page recommendation regarding the status of contract negotiations between Illinois and the state’s largest government-worker union. Three important things to know about the decision include: the state and AFSCME are in uncharted territory in their negotiation-related proceedings, the judge found the parties have reached impasse on 5 of 12 contested issues and the judge questioned AFSCME’s testimony and behavior during negotiations.

National Employee Freedom Week spotlights the ability of all Illinois workers – including state employees – to opt out of unions, and outlines the reforms needed to ensure true worker freedom.

Two bills attempting to provide taxpayer-funded training programs for SEIU would have been costly for the state.