* Yesterday, we discussed Gov. Bruce Rauner’s latest front against organized labor, a request made through the Illinois Municipal League that local governments adopt an anti-union resolution. The draft resolution put together by Team Rauner actually covers a little more than that. Here it is…
Resolution in Support of the “Turnaround Agenda” for Local Government Empowerment and Reform
WHEREAS, Illinois state law creates a “one size fits all” approach to collective bargaining for local units of governments. This approach creates added costs which are ultimately passed on to taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, voters and local officials should determine what is a subject of bargaining - not the State; and
WHEREAS, local control of bargaining would allow voters or local governments to determine if certain topics should be excluded from collective bargaining, including contracting, wages, provisions of health insurance, use of employee time, required levels of staffing, procedures and criteria for personnel evaluations; and
WHEREAS, state law sets thresholds for workers on state and local construction projects increasing costs significantly; and
WHEREAS, state law has increased utilization of Project Labor Agreements for construction projects; and
WHEREAS, repealing the Illinois Prevailing Wage Law and the requirements for Project Labor Agreements would allow local governments more control over construction and project costs; and
WHEREAS, more than 280 unfunded mandates have been imposed in recent years on communities across Illinois, costing those communities billions. Rolling back mandates will create more flexibility in local government budgets; and
WHEREAS, Illinois’ workers’ compensation costs are the seventh highest in the nation – and more than double the costs in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, updating how injuries are apportioned to ensure employers pay for injuries that occur on the job, a clarification regarding the definition of “traveling employees” to ensure a reasonable standard that excludes risks that would impact the general public, and implementation of American Medical Association guidelines when determining impairment would result in major cost savings for local governments; and
WHEREAS, voters in our community should be allowed to decide via referendum whether or not employees should be forced to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment; and
WHEREAS, local empowerment zones will help attract jobs and make our community more attractive for businesses; and
WHEREAS, local governments face unfunded liabilities that threaten core services and functions of government. State action on pension reform for future work should provide local governments the ability to address pension reform for future work as well;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the (CITY/TOWN/VILLAGE) of (NAME) endorses major reforms in state government that will encourage local control, reduce costs on local governments, empower local voters, and increase competitiveness in our community.
*** UPDATE *** Mayor Emanuel vows to “oppose every step”…
STATEMENT FROM MAYOR EMANUEL ON GOVERNOR RAUNER’S CALL ON CITIES TO PASS RIGHT TO WORK ZONE RESOLUTIONS
“Governor Rauner is continuing his race to the bottom by asking cities like Chicago to pass ‘Right to Work’ zone resolutions. I will not support – and will oppose every step of the way – any such resolution in Chicago because I believe it directly threatens our strategic goal to strengthen Chicago’s middle class, not undermine it. We should instead be focused on rebuilding our neighborhood infrastructure, public transit, public schools, and public parks to keep growing local jobs. And that’s why I’ve launched an effort to build “Right to Thrive” zones that will protect our workers and provide an array of incentives to help businesses create jobs in struggling neighborhoods throughout our city.
“Competing against Mississippi and Alabama for low wages is not a strategy to build a great city. When companies look for a new home or a place to grow, our competition is the other great cities of the world like New York, London, Beijing, and Tokyo. By building a stronger local economy with good-paying jobs, Chicago will continue to be among those great cities and every resident, from every neighborhood, will benefit.”
- AC - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
Sounds like an ALEC bill, and certainly fits their top down, fake grass roots methodology.
- anonin' - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:35 pm:
BVR is reportedly not allowing amendments. They will get a free “Welcome to Scabistan” sign.
- Former Merit Comp Slave - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:36 pm:
Return correspondence for all the resolutions cities and towns have been sending him regarding this proposed budget
- Deep South - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:36 pm:
Which community will be the first to ratify? Will any?
- Roadiepig - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:36 pm:
AC- same thought here. ALEC fingerprints all over it, although it is specifically written for Illinois (notice the obligatory mention of the businessman’s paradise of Indiana)
- Tornadoman - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
Comparing us to Indiana (again..)?? Why the #%%€€% would that included?!?
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
@Deep South
Pawnee
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:42 pm:
Munis won’t hate this.
- AnonymousOne - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
A man on a mission with blinders on.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
To the update: Except Chicago
- Jocko - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:50 pm:
AC is spot on calling this an ALEC bill.
John Oliver covered this on Last Week tonight (jump to 14:17)
http://www.hbo.com/last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver/episodes/1/23-november-2-2014/video/ep-23-clip-state-legislatures-and-alec-.html#/
- Down Here - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
“Which community will be the first to ratify? Will any?”
Unfortunately, I think many will especially downstate. Many of them will (stupidly) believe passing this will somehow help them curry favor with the Gov to not reduce their state revenue stream. In addition, many downstate communities are led by Republicans who will want to “support” their guy.
Labor has its work cut out for it if it is going to reach out to these communities to attempt to forestall the passage of a bunch of these legally useless resolutions.
- anon - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:52 pm:
I’d be more interested in Rahm’s comments about the court ruling on charter schools diverting tax revenue from public schools. Still don’t buy that he’s not bff with Rauner.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
WHEREAS, employees are undeserving of good wages and benefits and I’m here to help you take them to the cleaners
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:56 pm:
==and more than double the costs in Indiana==
Jesus, if you want to be Indiana so bad then freaking move there and run for Governor of Indiana.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
Isn’t the turnaround agenda missing something?
–whereas if I get my way local governments are going to be a whole lot more unfunded when I grab their income tax share for my phony baloney budget–
- Jorge - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
The comparisons to Indiana needs to stop. Last I checked we aren’t passing new age Jim Crow laws.
- gopower - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
An ALEC bill!!?!?!
Outrageous! It’s like they think citizens have some sort of constitutional right to petition the government or something.
- BMAN - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:01 pm:
I question the “One Size Fits All” approach to collective bargaining. This is once again a red herring statement designed to mislead. Why do reports of the governor’’s rhetoric not point out the fallacies to his statements. Some people are just dumb enough to believe what they hear and read. Why not help them see what is really happening?
- Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:03 pm:
WHEREAS, if anyone comes to my door with a recall petition I promise I will be the first to sign.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
Any community that believes signing on to this ridiculous resolution will get them special favors or exemptions from Rauner are fools.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Would Mayor Sandack run this resolution through Downers Grove?
Just. Asking.
- BlameBruceRauner - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
More control???? More like less control and more headaches. PLAs protect communities from getting a lowball bid from outa-state-jokals who take tax payer money away from the community. PLAs actually save communities money and get projects done to the standard they where intended.
- Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
Wensicia is right. Anyone who has listened to Rauner during his campaign and seen what he has done since, knows there is no trust with this person. To think otherwise would be foolish.
- Annon3 - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
For the downstate town’s along the Wabash does it come with IV drug use and a HIV out break too?
- BlameBruceRauner - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Its like being a billionaire and not signing a prenumpt. PLAs are the prenumpt of the construction world. THEY ARE PROTECTIVE of the community!
- TGS - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
I guess if you’re going to take away LGDF funds you should at least attempt to give muni’s sone flexibility with their largest cost driver…
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
What is a “prenumpt?”
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
Traveler magazine reports that Chicago Mayor Emanuel will need to find alternative trip destinations. His previous travel spot in Montana is no longer available. The Mayor reports that he’ll miss the wine.
- BlameBruceRauner - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
47th -Prenuptial agreement . Sorry for the confusion, and bad acronym spelling.
- Aldyth - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
I guess Rauner’s circle of friends has shrunk by one.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Good for Emanuel, for steadfastly opposing right to work and recognizing the race to the bottom.
Leave right to work to lower-wage states and former Confederate states. Workers in Illinois don’t need to grovel for their livelihoods at the feet of a handful of multimillionaires and billionaires who throw tens of millions of dollars into the political process (and who are trying to cripple organized labor so it won’t have money to compete).
- JS Mill - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
=Good for Emanuel, for steadfastly opposing right to work and recognizing the race to the bottom.+
I sense it is nothing but political theater and, do Aldyth’s comments, the Governor’s circle of friends is still firmly intact.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
What, no “whereas only those local units of government I ( the Bruce) deem important enough to leave standing after consolidation can sign this”. Notice county or townships are not listed as possible signators.
- Deep South - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
===“Which community will be the first to ratify? Will any?”
Unfortunately, I think many will especially downstate. Many of them will (stupidly) believe passing this will somehow help them curry favor with the Gov to not reduce their state revenue stream. In addition, many downstate communities are led by Republicans who will want to “support” their guy.
Labor has its work cut out for it if it is going to reach out to these communities to attempt to forestall the passage of a bunch of these legally useless resolutions. ===
I dunno….union sentiment runs pretty deep here in the Deep South.
- Man with a plan - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
Good for Rahm. His comments on RtW have gotten him a lot of extra support in rank and file labor.
- Joe M - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
This sounds like a blackmail scheme by Rauner to get local governments to sign on to his resolution. If you don’t sign, see how much state revenue you get!
On the other hand, doesn’t the General Assembly ultimately determine by budget legislation what the state revenue streams to local governments will be?
- Jorge - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
Joe, you answered your own question.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
Resolutions in support of what? Where are rauners bills?
Tick tock
- Jack Stephens - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
Recall Bruce?
- don't bring me down - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
Its like good cop bad cop. Same goals different rhetoric. Actually that’s only accurate six months every four years. Otherwise the ‘good cops’ hooking high voltage cables to your…
- 1776 - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:17 pm:
My guess is that more communities will now pass resolutions OPPOSING his programs than communities that pass resolutions in support.
Cue Ed Burke’s ordinance…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:18 pm:
Blackmail? Forget that, it’s more like extortion.
- How very convenient - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Good for Rahm. His comments on RtW have gotten him a lot of extra support in rank and file labor.
- Long time listener - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
At least in his first WHEREAS he admits this is “state law”. so to get past this can I assume a community has to pass it, then sue the state in federal court to make it stick. What a trifecta and Bruce’s name wouldn’t appear anywhere.
- NoGifts - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 5:45 pm:
No union was ever formed with the permission of the management side. Management fought against unions and unionizers with troupes and police. People who wanted to form unions did not wait for permission to do it. I think we have forgotten the lessons of history if we think these laws actually have the power to stop labor organizing. You organize a union against the desires of management, you don’t ask them for permission to do it. Union organizers were heroes who put their lives on the line for better working conditions.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 5:48 pm:
Rauner needs to realize the world doesn’t revolve around him only
- Mad Brown - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 6:00 pm:
Considering IN Gov. Pence’s recent legislation allowing discrimination by businesses, I’m really worried if we want to be like them.
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 6:26 pm:
Mayor Emanuel’s statement is disingenuous. He is a close personal friend of Rauner’s and supports Rauner’s efforts to further enrich the rich in America.
If Emanuel wasn’t facing re-election in two weeks he would not even bother to respond to Rauner’s announcement.
Emanuel is fooling no one. The rich take care of each other, over toasts with very expensive wine.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 6:57 pm:
No, Rauner is going to say that “God” led him to promote his compassion towards the people of this state. Four years from now hopefully Hoover is out of office.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 7:14 pm:
What makes so many want Illinois to be the last stand for unions? Will that not be more of the same thing that got us broke in the first place?
Maybe, just maybe government is not the solution to our problem. Why are so many scared of the private market?
It’s time for the conservative viewpoint to have some input even if it scares all you big gov liberals. Stop being such know it all HATERS and have a open mind. This is the same group that said CCW would have gunfights in the streets. Did your fears become reality? Most of you so believed it was so. You where wrong then and you are WRONG now!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 7:19 pm:
So true, liberals are ruining this state by not compromising. One sided has never worked. Trust me the current governor is only conservative in this state. Elsewhere he would be a democrat. Even democrats hate the system they built but are afraid of Madigan now. You over fed the monster and now he runs the household!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 7:27 pm:
I am also shocked by this Liberal hangout that is always pro democrat. I just laugh at this whole mess. I left IL so I have zero skin in the game but tune in to feel better every day about leaving.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 7:31 pm:
Anon 7:14-7:27, wha’ happen, your Mensa meeting get cancelled? Big Brains out tonight.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 7:59 pm:
Thank you Word
- Me - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 8:53 pm:
Having negotiated police and fire contracts and tried to recruit against bordering states, I would say the governor is right on track. It isn’t popular, but they are some of the biggest hurdles in making ends meet locally and competing with our neighbors. This isn’t ideology, it is what is really occurring downstate in local government.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 8:56 pm:
Mayor Emanuel’s statement is disingenuous. He is a close personal friend of Rauner’s and supports Rauner’s efforts to further enrich the rich in America.
If Emanuel wasn’t facing re-election in two weeks he would not even bother to respond to Rauner’s announcement.
Emanuel is fooling no one. The rich take care of each other, over toasts with very expensive wine.
spot on dave
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 9:14 pm:
me, so collective bargaining hurt when you tried to recruit police and fire candidates “against bordering states.” How so?
- Ljt75 - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 10:27 pm:
@Anonymous
“It’s time for the conservative viewpoint to have some input even if it scares all you big gov liberals. Stop being such know it all HATERS and have a open mind”
The Conservative Viewpoint?! You mean the one that caused the stock market crash in 2008? The one that is pushing for Chapter 9 bankruptcies to go through so quickly?I hate to burst your bubble, but this governor is from another planet. He spends his time going around promoting the idea of repealing project labor agreements, demonizing anyone who belongs to the union, acts like he is above the law, and promotes his right to work ideology? If you don’t like the way this state is ran, move already. No one is forcing you to do business here. Unlike common folk, the slash and burn of pensions and sending things overseas to make more money bothers me. Quit trying to play people against each other already.
- Ljt75 - Thursday, Mar 26, 15 @ 10:34 pm:
@Anonymous
One more thing, Rauner is not a conservative, he is a RINO. There are actually good democrats and republicans in this state that don’t try to flash their money in other people’s faces to extort them to get their way.
@Word
I think he missed his Sharktank episode tonight.
- Me - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 12:50 am:
Two separate subjects wordslinger. Collective bargaining with the interest arbitration kills downstate cities seeing no or even negative growth. Wages + benefits rise at 10% or more while revenues stay stagnant. As for prevailing wage, the 15-25% premium is quite often the make it or break it difference in local projects. I know those scenarios don’t fit various ideologies, but they are the realities for many cities across Illinois.
- Norseman - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 1:08 am:
Me, so the idea is that because these entities are unable to say no during collective bargaining we’ll just save them the trouble and eliminate it. I take it that you don’t give pay raises to anybody else in your governmental unit since revenue is stagnate.
- Anon - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 5:03 am:
Facts matter and, sadly, but not unexpectedly, Rauner must bend the truth to meet his anti-worker, including anti-union, rhetoric and view of the world. He is without a moral compass, which makes him a very dangerous man. I applaud those who have the courage to stand up to him.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 7:46 am:
Me, you’re pretending for some reason that local governments have no leverage when negotiating collective bargaining agreements and are somehow forced to sign agreements that they negotiate.
And you never referenced prevailing wage in your earlier post. Is that what you were talking about your efforts “tried to recruit against bordering states?”
“Recruit” what? What are you talking about?
- Anonymous - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 8:36 am:
First off local gov officials that negotiate with unions take money from the same unions. That is the biggest issue. Once a fair negotiating table is set, only then will local municipalities have “leverage”.
Unions only survive when forcing dues on people. When the american values of “choice” on the individual level is restored they always die off. Let the workers decide if they want to be in the union. If its so much in there best interest the will. But someone always seems to know whats best for others and will want to force them into something for there own good of course.
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 8:50 am:
Government is supposed to work for the people who vote & pay taxes. Government is supposed to make communities nice places to live, not convenient places to exploit workers.
Why does this seem like a foreign concept?
The United States has the trappings of democracy (elections) while missing the spirit of democracy, the purpose of it.
Corporate media is to be congratulated on the propaganda work they’ve done for 1%. You guys are either awesome or Americans are gullible & kinda hate each other.
- Carl Nyberg - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 8:54 am:
We live in a rich country.
We live in a rich state.
Chicago is a rich city.
The economy is growing.
Is paying pensions to public employees an unreasonable extravagance?
Is it unreasonable to expect public sector wages & salaries to go up as the economy grows?