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* From the governor’s office…

Hi, Rich –

Freeport passed the Turnaround resolution last night.

Have a nice day!

Thanks,
CK

Aldermen considered two proposals. Option A, as city officials called it, excluded much of the language about right-to-work proposals that has upset local and state labor unions. Option B included the right-to-work language. Both resolutions say the city “supports discussion on major reforms in state government, to be cooperatively negotiated among the governor’s office, General Assembly and local elected leaders, that will encourage local control, reduce costs on local governments and increase the competitiveness of our community.”

The Council only considered and voted on Option B after Ald. At Large Andrew Chesney quickly steered the discussion toward Option B. […]

Seventh Ward Ald. Tom Koester spoke at length, urging his colleagues to vote against the agenda.

“This resolution goes after labor,” he said. “These are the people we work for, and I can’t tell you what the Water Department employees do or the police do. I don’t know what they need to bargain on, because I don’t know what they do.”

Koester added that he spoke to a member of Rep. Brian Stewart’s office within the past week, and when Koester asked what would happen if the city did not move the resolution forward, he said he was told: “The governor controls some of the grants, so maybe you won’t get some of the money you’re counting on.”

Keep in mind that the alderman making that claim was against the resolution.

* From the Illinois AFL-CIO…

Wednesday, May 20 – Boone County Board has the Rauner anti-worker resolution on its agenda, 6:30 p.m., 1212 Logan Avenue, Belvidere
http://www.boonecountyil.org/page/countyboard

* From a Pantagraph editorial…

The so-called “right-to-work'’ initiatives being pushed by Gov. Bruce Rauner may arguably have an impact on the state’s business climate, but there are more serious issues that are more important.

So it was a colossal waste of time last week when the House spent time debating and voting down a right-to-work bill that was never going anywhere in the first place. Democrats, behind Speaker Michael Madigan, staged the vote. For the record, the bill received zero “yes” votes and 72 “no” votes. Most Republicans, as instructed, voted “present.'’ Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, was one of the exceptions; he didn’t vote either way. […]

While Rauner contends he has nothing against unions, he knows right-to- work is a divisive issue. Pushing the idea is as much about dividing people as is having a one-sided vote in the General Assembly.

There is undoubtedly a time and a place for a reasonable discussion about whether it’s wise, given changes in the worldwide economy, to consider right-to-work initiatives.

But the state’s overall economic outlook would be improved much more quickly with a stable pension system, a balanced budget, streamlined government, workers’ compensation reform, lower taxes and a more business-friendly attitude by state government.

Look, the governor has spent months and months wasting valuable time on this issue giving speeches and pushing local resolutions that could’ve been used to pass his legislative agenda. The General Assembly spent a few hours on the topic last week.

The governor’s office hasn’t produced any legislation dealing with the issues the Pantagraph wants addressed, so it’s not like the House could’ve voted on that stuff last week.

Plus, the governor appears, for now anyway, to have toned down his rhetoric several notches since that House vote.

I’m not saying it was the most productive use of the House’s time, I’m just saying that the vote may have actually helped move the ball forward a bit. At the very least, the amount of energy expended by the governor’s office showed him - or should’ve showed him - that the idea is a dead-bang loser here.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:29 am

Comments

“Hi ‘ck’-

Wastin’ time and justifying it with wins by the ones and twos, in between loss after loss, the ballon is already deflated!

If you’re on Staff and still workin’ on this, you’re not important to governing and helping the state. You’re expendable.

Have a productive day!

Thanks!
ow”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:35 am
Is there a count of how many Illinois cities/counties have considered the language? I tried googling, and checked the Governors website but came up empty. Would like to compare that to the number that have simply ignored the thing altogether.

Comment by John A Logan Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:36 am
I would like for Bruce to specifically clarify what this “Right to Work” is.

Women did NOT have a Right to Vote, nor 18 year olds….until given this Right.

I’ve worked for years….so has this been illegal? I have no “Right” to negotiate my labor for compensation….either individually or collectively? Is this legislation proposed by the Governor giving me this right that I have been missing?

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:38 am
I think Rauner is an ideologue that has pursued this anti-union agenda as a payback to the like-minded special interest plutocrats who have contributed millions to his funds.

Perhaps with these House votes, Rauner can say he tried, move on and get to work.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:38 am
The Rauner Resolution War Room is still open for business. I guess you’ve gotta give the superstars something to do.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:40 am
Side note:

The capital “CK” is a nice touch, empowering I bet, and the “have a nice day” with the exclamation mark following, and no exclamation mark after the “thanks” seems warm and less cookie cutter.

Having one town is embarrassing.

To the Post,

The hours and hours wasted by this Adminstration chasing credibility for an unattainable goal of the acceptable groundswell support is the most obvious rookie mistake so far.

Just claim victory on moving the discussion forward and move on.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:41 am
Call it a “colossal waste of time,” but there’s been no Turnaround Speech scheduled anywhere on the Gov’s daily agenda for at least a couple of days now so that’s saying something.

Comment by Politix Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 10:50 am
How do they sell this to locals now that the bill clearly has no chance of passing?

Is it just to be “in favor” with administration?

Don’t count on any payback for that

Comment by walker Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:00 am
Word, you’re making a big assumption and that’s that Rauner actually wants to do the job of governor. So far I have seen a man who wants to make a name for himself in right wing donor networks.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:02 am
I keep seeing people refering tomour governemnt as not business friendly. Other the. This cinstant unsupported refeain can somine give an actial example other the the retae of unemployment? I say that because illinois has the same slow growth rate it has had for 50 years. There is nothing different today anoit how business grows. We do habe more large and sussceful buisness then almost every other state.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:06 am
As a taxpayer, if my local elected officials believed that creating a RTW zone would help economic development, I would much prefer that approach than simply throwing millions of tax payer dollars to try to accomplish the same thing.

Right now we are simply bribing businesses to stay here. RTW zones would be a great experiment that wouldn’t cost a taxable dollar.

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:06 am
Wow ghost that’s some dandy spelling!

Comment by BlameBruceRauner Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:07 am
Since Option B seems to gut the most important provision (Right to Work) of Option A isn’t it a bit disingenuous to say that Freeport has passed the “Turnaround resolution”? When will we see an update from “ck” on how things are coming along with the GA? I’m sure that Rauner’s people think that they’re building some sort of a coalition but every day that passes that they aren’t moving the ball forward with the GA is a day wasted. As others have noted (including the Pantagraph) we’ve got real problems and this isn’t helping.

Comment by pundent Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:09 am
Has anyone asked ck if she knows when Rauner plans to introduce “his” RTW legislation? We all know the HGOPs didn’t want to vote for Madigan’s version because it was “fake.” So when can we expect to see the real thing? Will Sandack and Durkin co-sponsor it?

I mean, it’s nice that you can add Freeport to your win column, but wouldn’t it be even nicer if you could add the House of Representatives?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:10 am
frustrating nonsense. eleven days to go and NO bills on his agenda properly introduced. some things have been taken off the table, but he cant say what they are. rauners opening position was pass the turnaround agenda before considering revenue and the budget. or else cuts and shutdown if need be. well, MJM has demonstrated the major elements of the agenda are dead. so admit it, and get on with the budget.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:10 am
do we have a statewide chart yet on the voting?

Comment by D.P.Gumby Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:11 am
=== RTW zones would be a great experiment that wouldn’t cost a taxable dollar.===

I think that the labor unions would, and have, claim that the RTW zones would lower wages for those employed within the zones. If this is true than all of the resulting unearned wages should be considered to be lost taxable dollars.

Comment by Hit or Miss Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:15 am
Franklin co is voting on rauners turn around agenda to day in Benton at 6. There will be a large union present starting around 5

Comment by SoILL Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:18 am
==The General Assembly spent a few hours on the topic last week.==

And only one chamber of it! Moreover, it probably effectively got the idea off the table (if Rauner ever introduces his own bill, MJM will almost certainly say, “We tried it once, no one liked it, we’re not wasting any more time on it). So, yeah, seemed pretty productive to me.

==RTW zones would be a great experiment that wouldn’t cost a taxable dollar.==

They’d cost people wages.

And come to think of it, those wages would be taxed.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:22 am
=====I think that the labor unions would, and have, claim that the RTW zones would lower wages======

Exactly!!! Both sides have arguments. Let’s put it to the test! Just on a county by county basis.

It’s not unlike the argument on gaming machines. Both sides had strong arguments. At the end, the state allowed for it, but counties could opt out.

It is made sense to allow for local decision making on gaming, the same should be true for RTW.

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:23 am
The difference is the Federal Labor Relations Act likely makes RTW zones illegal. Illinois shouldn’t waste millions in the court system as a conservative test case.

Comment by Tournaround Agenda Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:29 am
I wonder if the capitalization of CK was a promotion given to her in lieu of a pay raise. Just throwing it out there- we might want to prepare for the appearance of a middle initial before too long if she keeps kicking so much tail.

Comment by Man with a plan Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:41 am
Maybe BVR should have shaken his presentation cash around some city councils or county boards….maybe he did

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 11:53 am
We have been saying very forcefully that we don’t want right to work in Illinois. The right to work push seems quite anticlimactic.

The RTW proponents should wait for the 2016 elections and beyond, but that’s not apparently how it works. They try to sneak it in there. To my recollection, Governors Walker and Snyder did not campaign on right to work and said it wasn’t a priority. Look familiar here? Candidate Rauner also said RTW was not a priority, or a top priority, during the General.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:23 pm
==Exactly!!! Both sides have arguments. Let’s put it to the test! Just on a county by county basis.==

But when they “fail” “the test”, real people will be out real money. Possibly out real jobs. That RTWFL proponents think that won’t happen isn’t any sort of hold harmless.

…and frankly, the RTWFL proponents don’t actually think that, at least not based on their rhetoric. If it’s going to “attract business”, it’s because it’s going to be cheaper for the business. And the cheapness naturally comes out of employee compensation.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:27 pm
==It’s not unlike the argument on gaming machines.==

It’s entirely unlike it. The two sides of the gaming issue actually disagreed about what would happen.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 12:38 pm
1. Rauner should fund the legal battle over RTW out of his own pocket, not the taxpayers.

2. If Rauner is so convinced that local empowerment zones will be a money maker, he ought to personally provide a money-back guarantee from his own wealth. It isn’t like he cannot afford it.

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Why not try it? Sounds awfully cavalier making other people you guinea pigs.

Comment by skeptic Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Bruce Rauner - THE POPULIST!

Contrary to the lies being told by Rauner, RTW by local zone *authorization* is NOT intended to reflect the local popular will, but rather, the will of employers who dislike living with a union.

RTW by local zone *authorization* is a recipe for ousting unions in EVERY locale where the zone’s machinery of government can be influenced by one or more major employers who dislike living with a union.

And that’s just what’s wanted by Rauner / “Koch Political Enterprises” aka Americans for Prosperity

Comment by zonz Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 4:46 pm
In response to those who say “why not try it?” or who think it would be a good idea to let locals and municipalities decide on the issue of RTW and Fair Share … *They. Already. Do.*

Just because Illinois is a Fair Share state does not mean that every local association is guaranteed Fair Share. It means it may be bargained locally.

According to the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act:

(g) “Fair share agreement” means an agreement between the employer and an employee organization under which all or any of the employees in a collective bargaining unit are required to pay their proportionate share of the costs of the collective bargaining process, contract administration, and pursuing matters affecting wages, hours, and other conditions of employment, but not to exceed the amount of dues uniformly required of members. The amount certified by the exclusive representative shall not include any fees for contributions related to the election or support of any candidate for political office. Nothing in this subsection (g) shall preclude an employee from making voluntary political contributions in conjunction with his or her fair share payment.

The IELRA has even more specific language: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1177&ChapterID=19

Comment by YNM Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 5:15 pm
With the dismissal of Rauner’s federal case - - and the employees’ case going forward - - note the following language in Judge Gettleman’s order (see below, an excerpt from page 9):
“The Governor’s motion to place fair share fees in
escrow (Doc. 83) is denied as moot.”
___________________________________________
from Judge Gettleman’s Memorandum Opinion and Order, today, at page 9:

The Employees’ proposed complaint in intervention asserts an independent basis for the court’s jurisdiction. They undoubtedly have standing to assert their claims because they are required under the IPLRA to pay fair share fees. Therefore, in the interest of judicial economy,
the court grants leave for the Employees to file their complaint in intervention and treats it as the
operative pleading, while simultaneously dismissing the Governor’s original complaint.

CONCLUSION
For the reasons explained above, the Employees’ motion to file their complaint in intervention (Doc. 91) is granted and the complaint will be treated as the operative complaint in this action. The Unions’ and Madigan’s motions to dismiss the original complaint (Docs. 40, 51) are granted. The Governor’s motion to confirm the first amended complaint (Doc. 97) and motion to dismiss defendants’ motions to dismiss as moot (Doc. 99) are denied. The first
amended complaint (Doc. 102) is dismissed. The Governor’s motion to place fair share fees in
escrow (Doc. 83) is denied as moot. The remaining defendants are ordered to respond to the new
operative complaint on or before June 10, 2015.
ENTER: May 19, 2015

Comment by zonz Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 7:30 pm
Thanks, Zonz. Do you have a link to the opinion?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 7:37 pm
Rauner’s filing suit on fair share was a real hot-dog play. How in the world he could believe he had standing is beyond me.

Either he didn’t listen to his lawyers, or his mouthpieces are terrible lawyers and sychophants.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 7:41 pm
Or he pays well.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 7:47 pm
Again, another example of Rauner going off the Reservation for his own ego(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 7:51 pm
One must watch out for statements like the one below by AP (published by Sun-Times here http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/620462/judge-allows-union-fee-suit-proceed-without-rauner ).

AP’s statement is highly misleading; simply read the employees’ case (I linked) and you’ll see that it’s a First Amendment claim:

…
Gettleman rejected the First Amendment claim and ruled the three workers must prove they have a case.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly said the governor is disappointed he can’t participate but is “greatly encouraged” that Gettleman didn’t dismiss the matter entirely.

Comment by zonz Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 8:03 pm
OW, not ego. See below, and the GOVERNING magazine article I link to below.

There is what some might call a conspiracy afoot, and Rauner was/is part of it with his EO and the federal case he was bounced from today. So now the 3 state employees will *carry on* using the well-heeled bunch of attorneys I mentioned above.

Here is info about the “conspiracy”:
How Bruce Rauner Could Weaken Public Unions Nationwide
http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/gov-how-illinois-governor-bruce-rauner-could-weaken-unions-nationwide.html
___________
Author: Oswego Willy Comment: Again, another example of Rauner going off the Reservation for his own ego(?)

Comment by zonz Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 8:40 pm
- zonz -,

I was going at it from Rauner, his role in this larger game, and his ego to play that role…

All good, Bud. I appreciate the legwork you’ve done.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 19, 15 @ 9:09 pm