North Cook News

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has applauded a tentative collective-bargaining agreement his administration reached with the state's largest union, which represents most state government employees.

"I'm pleased that a tentative agreement has been reached, and of course, it has been a friendly negotiation in the sense that we knew on both sides that we needed to reach an agreement, and it was reached roughly on time," Pritzker said, in a story by the Center Square.

Pritzker declined to say what the new agreement will cost taxpayers, however, prompting some to raise concerns about the burden the deal will place at the financial feet of the state's already-stressed taxpayers.

Voters last year approved an amendment to the Illinois Constitution that codifies collective bargaining rights in the state, with specific language that stated that "no law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment," the story stated.

During his 2022 re-election campaign, Pritzker had the backing of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, which some believe made Pritzker more obligated to support their cause when it came time for the state and the union to re-negotiate.

Illinois Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) said there is no way to to prepare taxpayers for the cost of the new deal, however, and Meier warned that the cost will put into taxpayers' hands in the form of new taxes, The Center Square reported.

"I'm still afraid this budget will have holes when it gets later into the year, and then you will hear the talk right after the first of the year that we are going to have to put the progressive income tax back on the ballot," Meier said.

The Illinois Constitution requires a flat income tax, and voters in 2020 overwhelmingly rejected a progressive income tax proposal that would have meant a tiered income tax structure with increased taxes on those with higher incomes, the story stated.