Gov. Bruce Rauner says he wants to create "empowerment zones," or areas where Illinois residents can choose whether or not they want to join a union, as opposed to being required to join a union as a condition of employment. (WJBC file photo)
By Joe Ragusa

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Bruce Rauner once again called for Illinois to approve what he called "empowerment zones" in his State of the State address this week. State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, says giving people the ability to choose whether or not they want to join a union should make Illinois a more competitive state.

"I think communities ought to have an opportunity to have a say in what they believe are their locally-held values," Barickman said. "For those communities that decide they want to make a change here, we hope that by doing there's a competitive advantage there that allows them to attract jobs from out-of-state."

State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, wants to see more details before he gives his full support.

"That idea, obviously, we know, is not warmly embraced by unions," Brady said. "We need to know more about it, we need to hear about it, and we need to see what works and what's worked elsewhere."

Unions oppose the idea, saying it will diminish their ability to protect things like fair wages and safe working conditions.

Rauner is scheduled to appear in Bloomington at 3 p.m. Sunday at the DoubleTree.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].