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Public employee union-backed bill clears both chambers

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Illinois

* Synopsis of SB1784…

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Provides that an employer is required to furnish the exclusive bargaining representative with a complete list of the names and addresses of the public employees in the bargaining unit at least once each month. Provides that the employer shall not discourage employees or applicants from becoming or remaining union members or authorizing dues deductions, and shall not otherwise interfere with the relationship between employees and their exclusive bargaining representative. Provides that the employer shall refer all inquiries about union membership to the exclusive bargaining representative, with certain exceptions. Provides that the employer may not disclose certain personal information with respect to any employee, except to that employee’s exclusive representative. Contains provisions concerning the collection of dues. Amends the Illinois Pension Code. Prohibits the disclosure of certain personal information regarding participants and members. Makes other changes.

The legislation essentially codifies part of AFSCME’s new contract with the state. The Illinois Policy Institute obtained employee home addresses and has been sending them mailers notifying them they can retain all union services without paying for them.

A technical amendment was also adopted, but this bill passed the House in the first week of veto session 93-23 and passed the Senate yesterday 45-9. Needless to say, those lopsided bipartisan roll calls would never have occurred under the previous governor.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 8:59 am

Comments

So much for protecting first amendment rights. And people wonder why were in such great fiscal shape. public sector unions run everything in Springfield.

Comment by Sue Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:03 am
=== A technical amendment was also adopted, but this bill passed the House in the first week of veto session 93-23 and passed the Senate yesterday 45-9. Needless to say, those lopsided bipartisan roll calls would never have occurred under the previous governor.===

- Sue -,

You and the previous governor are outliers, it appears.

To the phony Raunerites that hurt Illinois during the 99th GA and now may support this legislation… this is why I hammer and shake you. You were pathetic to cave, now you’re even more pathetic going back to a “normalcy”.

You hurt Illinois for an agenda. Look how you changed your tune.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:08 am
“has been sending them mailers notifying them they can retain all union services without paying for them”

From the people who hate freeloading. They openly admit the union benefits workers on their junk mail. The union dues state employees pay are by far less expensive to them than the former governor’s contract terms, so that’s a great example of their benefi

States have to help protect middle class workers from predatory billionaires and multimillionaires and their front groups, and we did the right thing—as did Kentucky, by voting out the anti-union Gov. Bevin. Same with Wisconsin last year.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:11 am
- Sue -

This is the nature of the rent-seeking society. A powerful special interest gets an exemption from the Clayton Act and they turn around and buy politicians via campaign contributions. Public sector unions mean higher taxes.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:13 am
=So much for protecting first amendment rights.=

Exactly how is protecting employee data from being furnished to third-parties a violation of anyone’s first amendment rights? Are you suggesting that the IPI has a right to employment records so it can spread it’s propaganda? Sounds like democratic and republican reps overwhelmingly disagree with you.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:13 am
=== they turn around and buy politicians via campaign contributions.===

Explain Bruce and Diana Rauner buying two caucuses for $50 million.

Take your time. I’ll wait.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:16 am
“A powerful special interest gets an exemption from the Clayton Act and they turn around and buy politicians via campaign contributions.”

The former governor spent millions to buy an entire state political party and ordered it around. Where were the tears and outrage over too much power then? Let’s please spare the phony victimhood. Corporations get an annual 14% raise for life under the Trump tax cuts. So powerful were mega-rich donors that they threatened to cut off funding to the GOP if the Trump tax cuts weren’t enacted.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:20 am
OW- get off your high horse. Public Sector unions like the NEA and AFSMCE spend a lot more buying Dem pols then the Koch bro’s spend on the R’s. When liberals decry corporate money spent on elections they seem to overlook Union spending

Comment by Sue Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:21 am
OW

Where were Rauners’ “bought votes” to prevent the state income tax increase? $50 million is nothing compared to the amount of money public sector unions have given to Mike Madigan and Ed Burke over the years. Gee , why would public sector unions give money to politicians unless there wasn’t a payoff?

Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:22 am
=== get off your high horse===

Don’t make it about me, make the argument… ‘cause if this is your argument…

=== Public Sector unions like the NEA and AFSMCE spend a lot more buying Dem pols then the Koch bro’s spend on the R’s.===

“Everybody does it, they do it more”

… wholly ignores what, in Illinois, Bruce and Diana Rauner did, and these lopsided, bipartisan votes… after the hurting RaunerS left the scene.

=== When liberals decry corporate money spent on elections they seem to overlook Union spending===

I’m not a liberal. Nope.

I’m also not a Raunerite phony or a Trumpkin.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:25 am
Is AFSCME against providing educational materials to their members, unless they do the educating? Shocking.

Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:27 am
- Steve -

=== Where were Rauners’ “bought votes” to prevent the state income tax increase?===

You should explain that to the Brave 15 and the Perfect 10

More and more, you are over your head here, lacking the institutional knowledge.

Not understanding that, yikes.

I’m done, - Steve -. You lack the knowledge to make an argument to what the $50 million was about, and why the Brave 15 and Perfect 10 are a thing.

Good luck.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:28 am
===$50 million is nothing compared to the amount of money public sector unions have given to Mike Madigan and Ed Burke over the years===

Show your work.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:28 am
😂😂😂 I cant decide which is more humorous, Sue’s joke that the IPI has a first amendment rights to public employees private information, or Steve’s joke that “powerful special interests “ include public employee unions in a post-Janus world. Probably Sue’s, I almost spit coffee out all over the cab of my truck after reading that one. Thanks for that, guys - I needed a good laugh this morning.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:30 am
===I almost spit coffee out all over the cab of my truck after reading that one===

Try not to get into an accident, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:31 am
The next step is obviously to get the graduated income tax and end the sweetheart deal that upper-income people have had in Illinois for decades, being taxed at the same rate as the rest of us.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:31 am
Sue, studies have shown business interests outspend labor 16-1. Try again.
Just me 2, the propaganda you produce at IPI is just that.

Comment by younyon Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:34 am
It’s good that the state is going to keep employees contact info private. I am however curious why the Union needs monthly updated lists of employees private contact info like cell and home numbers, private email address, etc.

Comment by Mason born Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:43 am
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, of the press; or the right of the people to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Now, how exactly does SB 1784 run afoul of the First Amendment?

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 9:52 am
== Try not to get into an accident, please.==

Wasn’t driving, I promise - was waiting for the client to show up at the job site. I do appreciate your concern, though.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:04 am
As long as the process to leave a union is as simple and transparent as joining the union.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:16 am
==So much for protecting first amendment rights.==

You don’t have a first amendment right to collect information about employees.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:24 am
==public sector unions run everything in Springfield.==

Are you sure you aren’t Governor Rauner in disguise? Stop being a victim. It’s pathetic.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:26 am
==Dem pols==

Sue, take a look at the vote totals. Quite a few Republicans voted for this.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:31 am
Not worried about my 1st Amendment rights - it the rights of union members to be able to resign from union membership without jumping they govt imposed hurdles.

Comment by Sue Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:32 am
==it the rights of union members to be able to resign from union membership==

And they can do that. This bill doesn’t do anything to hinder that.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:34 am
=== take a look at the vote totals. Quite a few Republicans voted for this.===

- Sue - is confused by the bipartisan nature of governing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:36 am
==rights of union members to be able to resign from union membership without jumping they govt imposed hurdles==

Government isn’t imposing hurdles. It would be the unions.

But I agree that the complete process from on-boarding to off-boarding should be completely visible and transparent to all prospective union members.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:42 am
rent-seeking society

the new flavor of
Neoliberal Koolaid

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:42 am
People, the gist of this legislation is that the union’s business is just that - their business. This lanaguage would have never come about had it not been for Governor Rauner attempting at every turn to undermine the union.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:42 am
I’m super thankful for this bill. Man, IPI and other Koch funded groups got the lists of all our private and confidential information all the time.
Remember when we got fake surveyed?
Remember when all AFSCME’s got IPI defection solicitations—-all the time?
Remember when Management would send us emails against our union?

I sure do. It’s not good faith bargaining or labor relations.

Thankful for this legislation.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:47 am
Steve and Sue,

1. Please post your personal information on capitolfax.com so that we can send you propaganda. Why does ones place of employment entitle you to their personal information?
2. I love when supporters of Citizen’s United and free speech get upset when public employee unions organize and lobby, but it is okay for corporations to grift tax payers. Pick a lane with free speech. The rules are the rules.

Comment by P-town Cynic Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 10:58 am
“it the rights of union members to be able to resign from union membership without jumping they govt imposed hurdles.”

Yeah, you guys wanted that so bad.
Bless your hearts.
You wanted the dream of union members leaving in droves so bad.
Didn’t happen did it?
Only a handful left the union.
It’s sad and pathetic really
That you perseverate on that dream of mass defection.
You spent so much time and money on it.
all for what?
a few Mark Janus’s here and there.
It’s so sad you mortgaged the future of the ILGOP
on the venture.
Does anyone still go hear Mark Janus speak?
nope
It’s played out
Let it go

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:00 am
This bill seeks to help protect those who provide valuable and life-saving services from those who don’t. What does the IPI produce beside propaganda?

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:23 am
Sue, City Zen and Steve….. the process to leave the union is actually quicker than to join. I do appreciate your “concern” though

Comment by theq Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:29 am
While blaming the previous Governor for the budget mess Illinois is in also try to make an honest argument that rubber-stamping whatever government unions demand hasn’t decimated Illinois finances for generations to come.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:40 am
Sue was probably referring to this part as a First Amendment issue: “Provides that the employer shall not discourage employees or applicants from becoming or remaining union members…”

but thanks for that red herring goodness.

Comment by Reader Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:51 am
===The Illinois Policy Institute obtained employee home addresses and has been sending them mailers notifying them they can retain all union services without paying for them.===

Those mailings burn quite well in my fireplace. Thanks for the kindling IPI!

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:54 am
Sue - do you really believe that NEA and AFSCME have more money than the Koch bros?

There is a reason why all republicans make yearly pilgrimages to the Koch bros retreat to kiss their ring, and its not to see the scenery.

I really don’t know if you are more ignorant or arrogant.

Comment by ike Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 12:43 pm
OW

My feelings are hurt. The man who made Oswego famous doesn’t want to be my mentor on all things Illinois politics. I’m going to wear black for 30 days. I studied all OW’s philosophies . I’m crushed.

https://tinyurl.com/ub7k2yf

Comment by Steve Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:04 pm
- Steve -

I can, and others could too, rattle off far too many, dozens, dozens of dozens, you can “learn from” that would bury me in all aspects.

I’m treating your comment not as snark, but if it is, then you already know, I am NO different than you, thinking I am, I’ll pass on others you can actually learn a thing or three from.

Arguing without context of institutional knowledge is where, here, you get eaten up the quickest.

Be well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:10 pm
==do you really believe that NEA and AFSCME have more money than the Koch bros?==

And they did it without a monopoly, which is more than I can say for NEA and AFSCME.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:11 pm
City Zen- yes, the Kochs pay off the republican party to do their bidding, and republicans are more than willing to be their lap dogs.

What was even the point of your comment?

Comment by ike Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:34 pm
==While blaming the previous Governor for the budget mess Illinois ==

That’s nice. Still whining I see. The previous Governor can be blamed for the budget mess that happened on his watch.

==hasn’t decimated Illinois finances for generations to come==

If you want to say with a straight face that unions are the only reason for Illinois’ woes be my guest. You look ridiculous doing so.

When are you going to accept that your way of thinking - and the previous Governor’s way of thinking - was resoundingly rejected. Get over it instead of incessantly whining about it. You have nothing new to offer - ever.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:38 pm
==What was even the point of your comment?==

I’m not sure he knows sometimes

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 1:39 pm
==Public sector unions mean higher taxes.==

…but it is more likely that public service unions mean a higher standard of living for the middle class.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 6:00 pm
AFSMCE will take us ALL dwb

Comment by Stevb Thursday, Nov 14, 19 @ 11:24 pm