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This just in… AFSCME files federal lawsuit

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Illinois

* 6:06 pm - From a press release…

In a further step to uphold its collective bargaining agreement with the state of Illinois, the largest union representing state employees today filed suit in federal court in Springfield.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 asked the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois to rescind the pay freeze announced one week ago by Governor Pat Quinn, and to restore the negotiated pay schedule for the nearly 30,000 affected employees in 14 state agencies, boards and commissions.

The union’s lawsuit names as defendants Gov. Quinn, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) Malcolm Weems, and the State of Illinois.

The AFSCME suit argues that Governor Quinn’s action to cancel scheduled pay increases is a violation of provisions against the impairment of contracts found in the United States and Illinois Constitutions, that the pay freeze constitutes a denial of the equal protection of laws under the federal and state constitutions, and that by violating the union’s collective bargaining agreement it amounts to breach of contract under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.

The lawsuit can be read by clicking here.

* Meanwhile…

Riverboat casinos battling the racetrack industry lost an appeal Friday when the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a law signed by convicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which siphoned money from casinos to support racetracks.

The law, dubbed the Racetrack Bill and referenced repeatedly in Blagojevich’s trials, was passed by a majority of the state legislature in 2006 and 2008 and signed by Blagojevich both times. It aimed to correct a blow dealt by riverboat casinos perceived to be luring away gambling dollars, giving racetracks proceeds from a 3 percent tax on riverboats to reverse the damage.

Casinos with annual earnings less than $200 million were exempt from the tax, leaving four Illinois riverboat casinos suing five racetracks and Blagojevich, who they accused of setting up the tax in cahoots with racetrack executive John Johnston, who owns two tracks.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 8, 11 @ 6:08 pm

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