Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Uihlein kicks in $1 million to IPI PAC opposing Workers’ Rights Amendment

Posted in:

Illinois

* “Vote No on Amendment 1,” a ballot initiative committee formed recently by Illinois Policy Institute execs John Tillman and Matt Paprocki, has received its first contribution.

Billionaire Richard Uihlein contributed $1 million this week, according to a disclosure report.

Proponents have raised $13.5 million for their Vote Yes for Workers Rights ballot initiative committee and are have been running TV ads for a while now.

* A bit of coverage…

* What the Proposed Workers’ Rights Amendment Could Mean for Illinois: The so-called Workers’ Rights Amendment would guarantee Illinois workers the constitutional right to collectively bargain for things like wages, hours and working conditions. “By giving unions power, you give workers power,” said Marc Poulos, executive director of the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting. “Unions are one of the single-most democratic institutions in the country.”

* Illinois Chamber of Commerce opposes workers’ rights amendment: Maisch said union leaders don’t want to go in front of state lawmakers, the public or their own workers to explain why right-to-work is good or bad. He feels the state’s top labor organizations want to have indefinite control.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:41 am

Comments

This is the wake up call.

Unless folks are willing to see another “Fair tax Flop” happen in real time, the pro-labor amendment needs to gear up its labor base, it’s messaging, and bring both to the polls and vote.

Yep. It’s “only a million”… can’t believe how times have changed, but I digress… but the anger and angst folks need only to feel aggrieved enough to make sure they vote no.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:44 am
Bailey out there like, “Dick, wait, I hate unions, too! Send me more money!”

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:49 am
OW nails it. Not a lot coming from labor. IPI is doing it’s finest gaslighting people that this will raise property taxes by several thousands. Uihlein‘s money will help spread this phony narrative.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:52 am
I thought the last Republican governor wanted to give everyone the “Right to Work”. It’s been illegal to work all these years. Wished the Republicans would make up their minds! (snark intentional)

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:55 am
I wouldn’t want to be a “Teamwork Makes The Dream Work” poster hanging in Uline breakrooms.

Comment by XonXoff Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 9:56 am
Vote yes commercials have been on TV for a while now, so vote no is a little late to the game, like the reverse of the fair tax, where vote no got an early start on messaging.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:00 am
- Maisch said union leaders don’t want to go in front of state lawmakers, the public or their own workers to explain why right-to-work is good or bad. -

Gee Todd, seems to me they already successfully presented their case to lawmakers and now are very publicly putting the issue on the ballot for all Illinois voters to weigh in on. I know democracy is a tough concept for folks like you, just try to hang in there.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:07 am
Stunning that anyone — especially someone perceived to be a smart biz guy(even though the loot came from Daddy) would hand these 2 mopes a million bucks. Should help make up any wavering minds in IL and elsewhere. BTW any make an offer on the IPI fun house on 2nd.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:13 am
I know he’s got a ton of dough, but I can’t imagine spending money on an issue like this. Feed the poor, give to schools, help somebody for God’s sale.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:13 am
==Marc Poulos, executive director of the Indiana, Illinois and Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting.==

Local 150 cosplay.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:45 am
“The amendment will need support from 60% of voters this fall to become enacted”

I wish these articles would provide the full process of how a CA can be enacted…

“On Election Day, an amendment is considered adopted by the voters with the affirmative vote of either 1) a 3/5 majority of those voting on the question, or 2) a simple majority of all votes cast in the election. EXAMPLE 1: If 1,000,000 people vote in the election in 2022 but only 500,000 vote on the constitutional amendment, then 300,000 would have to vote in favor of the amendment for it to be adopted (3/5 majority of those voting on the question). EXAMPLE 2: If 1,000,000 people vote in the election in 2022 and all of them vote on the amendment, then 500,001 would have to vote in favor of the amendment for it to be adopted (a simple majority of all votes cast).

Source: IML
www.iml.org/file.cfm?key=18229

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 11:10 am
Wonder when Uihlein will realize that pouring his millions into failures like Bailey and IPI is a total waste and pack up and move to Florida too. They’ve gotten so bad that anyone on the fence about a given issue just has to see IPI’s position on it and know they should vote the opposite way.

Comment by Vader Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 11:24 am
“I know he’s got a ton of dough, but I can’t imagine spending money on an issue like this. Feed the poor, give to schools, help somebody for God’s sale.”

Reminds a lot me of this conversation.

– MrJM

Comment by MisterJayEm Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 11:32 am
=IPI is doing it’s finest gaslighting people that this will raise property taxes by several thousands.=

You mean the “non-partisan” IPI?

Right wing cosplay.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 12:12 pm
” Uihlein will…pack up and move to Florida too”

Don’t hold your breath, his wealth is derived from Uline which is privately owned by him/his family. Uline’s HQ is in Pleasant Prairie, WI So he gets the best of both worlds. Lower Corp taxes on his WI business and Illinois’s lower flat individual income tax rate of 4.95%.

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 12:19 pm
==he gets the best of both worlds==

Don’t forget easy access to Mars Cheese Castle and Spotted Cow.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 1:36 pm
The Uihlein family has an uber conservative branch in Illinois and a progressive one in Wisconsin. Unlucky us.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 8:29 pm
Other than limiting future General Assemblies, how does this Amendment benefit Illinois Workers; and does it conflict with the Federal Labor Relations Act?

Comment by Joe Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:26 pm
I think the money is too little too late but if they get traction with their message, more money will come pouring in.

And you’d think with all that money Local 150 could buy Marc a ring light?

Comment by Squint Thursday, Sep 15, 22 @ 10:28 pm