Illinois business leader: ‘right to work’ may sputter out

Posted on January 23, 2020
The union’s effort comes a little more than a year after Gov. Bruce Rauner, who wanted to diminish labor’s influence, left office. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois business leader says a drive by Big Labor – to do away with “right to work” once and for all – may sputter out. 

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 wants a constitutional amendment to preserve “union shops” in Illinois.

Illinois Chamber of Commerce president Todd Maisch has to wonder how serious the General Assembly will be about this, given the graduated income tax is already on the ballot.

“It may work to their disadvantage to put both (amendments) on,” Maisch said. “You haven’t, maybe, seen the Democratic leadership jump on board right off the bat, but i think they are really going to  want to game this out and say, if we want this progressive tax increase, does this right-to-work amendment help us or hurt us?”

The union’s effort comes a little more than a year after Gov. Bruce Rauner, who wanted to diminish labor’s influence, left office.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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