AFSCME members don’t have to go on strike: They can become fair share payers
AFSCME members don’t have to go on strike: They can become fair share payers
Illinois state workers who don’t want to go on strike can become fair share payers. Here’s how.
Illinois state workers risk losing jobs by going on strike
Illinois state workers risk losing jobs by going on strike
State workers represented by AFSCME are currently voting on whether to authorize a strike - here's what's at stake for employees who decide to honor a strike.
Illinois Senate Grand Bargain
Illinois Senate Grand Bargain
AFSCME workers: Don’t want to lose money and risk your job? Become a fair share payer
AFSCME workers: Don’t want to lose money and risk your job? Become a fair share payer
With a strike looming, state workers should know they have another option: becoming fair share payers. Fair share employees receive all the benefits guaranteed in a union-negotiated contract, but the union cannot punish them for working during a strike.
Chicago officials announce $325K in TIF spending … on batting cages
Chicago officials announce $325K in TIF spending … on batting cages
The city’s latest taxpayer-funded development project reinforces the need to eliminate tax increment financing in favor of honest and transparent city budgeting.
Illinois state workers authorize strike
Illinois state workers authorize strike
After months of obstructing progress on a contract for state workers, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees have voted to authorize a strike – a walkout on state taxpayers – should leadership issue the call.
Never enough: AFSCME votes to strike, declines Rauner’s contract offer that retained many lavish perks
Never enough: AFSCME votes to strike, declines Rauner’s contract offer that retained many lavish perks
The state’s largest government-worker union just voted to authorize a strike for state workers. The union perpetuates a myth that Gov. Bruce Rauner is waging war on the middle class – all while ignoring that his contract offer to state workers includes benefits unavailable to most Illinoisans working in the private sector.
5 questions, 5 guiding principles for an Illinois ‘grand bargain’ budget framework
5 questions, 5 guiding principles for an Illinois ‘grand bargain’ budget framework
Illinois lawmakers need a new approach to budget-making – one that takes into account the state’s financial mess, shows respect for taxpayers, and prioritizes spending to meet the needs of the poorest and most disadvantaged residents.
In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows
In Quad Cities, Illinois shrinks while Iowa grows
The communities in the Quad Cities are nearly identical, but Illinoisans are fleeing to Iowa’s side from the Land of Lincoln’s side, showing just how severe Illinois’ out-migration crisis is.
Tax increment financing: A primer
Tax increment financing: A primer
Local governments create TIF districts to encourage development in “blighted” areas; but TIFs often don’t deliver on promised economic benefits, while they do divert tax dollars from other uses and create opaque slush funds for the mayor to reward insider developers.
Polishing a turd
Polishing a turd
AFSCME members have voted: What happens next?
AFSCME members have voted: What happens next?
AFSCME members have spent the last few weeks voting on whether to authorize what could be the first-ever state worker strike in Illinois history. Even if members vote to authorize a strike, it doesn’t mean a strike is imminent – nor does it mean that the majority of state workers want to strike.
Grand Bargain
Grand Bargain
Potential AFSCME strike looms despite members’ high pay, benefits
Potential AFSCME strike looms despite members’ high pay, benefits
The average Illinois AFSCME worker receives over $100,000 a year in total compensation. But that isn’t enough for AFSCME leadership – it is demanding even more. And its demands should offend Illinois taxpayers footing the bill.