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Illinois Governor Proposes Right to Work "Zones"


Recently, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has proposed Right to Work "zones" in the state in which voters and local communities could decide whether or not employees should be forced to join a union as a condition of employment.  Of course, this follows on the heels of the Governor's Executive Order in regard to "fair share" union dues (Unions Sue to Halt Fair Share Executive Order).  

For those keeping track, 25 states have passed Right to Work legislation.  Unlike those states where Right to Work legislation impacts all workers in the state, these proposed Right to Work zones would mean that depending on what city/county a worker is in could determine whether the Right to Work Act applied.  

Some readers might question why the Governor would not attempt to make this a statewide law.  For those not as familiar with Illinois politics, the state tends to lean Democratic (notwithstanding the fact that the state elected Republican Governor Rauner...).  Still, as the Governor has noted, any attempt to pass Right to Work legislation that would apply to workers all over the state would be difficult to pass.  Consequently, that is why the Governor proposed these Right to Work zones. 

Unsurprisingly, unions and some of the more liberal cities (such as Chicago) have indicated they will fight these Right to Work zones and do what they can to prevent them from becoming a reality.  Time will tell how many cities prevent these Right to Work zones from becoming law...but something tells me this will be a long, drawn out battle across the state for the foreseeable future.


Additional information can be found here:  http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/news/ct-abn-oswego-rauner-st-0402-20150401-story.html

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