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One to Keep An Eye On: Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Measure


As with many labor & employment law related cases (and bills) being litigated around the country, there are always a few that stand out.  This is one to keep an eye on.


Next Tuesday, voters in Illinois will have a chance to vote on Amendment 1 (a/k/a the Illinois Right to Collective Bargaining Measure) which seeks to amend the Illinois Constitution to stipulate that employees have a right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.  The Amendment would also prohibit a right to work law in the state.

This proposed Amendment mirrors legislation that is already in place in other states such as Hawaii, Missouri, and New York as those states have approved a right to collectively bargain.  However, this measure in Illinois goes one step further to the extent that Amendment 1 seeks to preempt right to work laws, which Hawaii, Missouri, and New York have not put in place.

Readers might recall that former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (a Republican) had made right to work laws (or right to work zones) a key part of his administration.  However, with Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker following Governor Rauner (and a statewide ballot measure in a traditionally labor friendly state), I would suspect that Amendment 1 has a good chance of getting approved this November.


For additional information:  https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/10/10/illinois-voters-should-know-about-workers-rights-amendment/69509739007/

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