Madigan open to “empowerment zones” proposal

Posted on February 5, 2015

House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) says he's open to Gov. Rauner's proposal to create "empowerment zones." (Photo courtesy House Speaker Michael Madigan/Facebook)

By Metro News Service

SPRINGFIELD – At least one top Democrat isn't shooting down the idea of right to work zones in Illinois.  House Speaker Michael Madigan says he's open to hearing Gov. Bruce Rauner's thoughts on how the zones might put people to work.

"It all gets into economics; It gets into putting people to work. I'm for putting people to work. That's the best thing we can do for the state," Madigan said. "So am I going to reject it out-of-hand? No. Do I want to know more about the details? Yes."

Rauner has been pushing the idea for about a month now.  He calls them "empowerment zones" and says they'll let workers decide if they want to join a union. And, he says the "empowerment zones" will give voters more control over the collective bargaining issues in their local governments.

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