Nearly two dozen Illinois union leaders from the private and public sectors sent a letter of support for AFSCME-represented state employees in their struggle for fairness against Governor Rauner.

AFSCME Bargaining Committee votes to establish new settlement framework for state contract. Rauner responds swiftly, making clear he seeks confrontation, rather than common ground.

Rauner is demanding that the Illinois Labor Relations Board require AFSCME to pay $2 million a day while legal action is pending against the governor's push to impose his demands on state employees.

A temporary restraining order issued Dec. 6 will halt the Rauner administration’s attempts to unilaterally impose its contract terms on state employees for now.

A bipartisan group of more than 35 legislators garnered statewide media coverage of their call for renewed negotiations between the Rauner Administration and AFSCME.

"Don't dictate, negotiate!" say state workers, standing together throughout Illinois.

"As bus drivers we are responsible for all of Rockford’s school children, and in return we deserve fair pay and affordable health care for our own children,” AFSCME Local 1275 President and driver Tracy Goodwin said.

In recent weeks, union members as varied as dining hall workers, whiskey distillers and university faculty have won fair contracts by making the tough decision to go out on strike.

Illinois public service workers are featured in new statewide spots that call out Gov. Rauner for refusing to negotiate with state employees who want to find common ground.

AFSCME Council 31 responds to the recommended decision issued September 2 by an Administrative Law Judge of the Illinois Labor Relations Board.