As details of the new contract agreement Governor Pritzker struck with the state’s largest union are released, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie responded with the following statement:
“The administration has ensured the fiscal impact surrounding the generous AFSCME contract is as clear as mud, but taxpayers know state workers should be at their place of work every day. What is clear is the budget plan, as passed by Democrats and published by GOMB, is only carrying a $45 million surplus and has little room for additional spending pressures. The $1,200 stipend per worker alone could wipe out any surplus and leaves taxpayers with the burden of funding additional costs associated with this contract.”
Illinois’ current contract with AFSCME expired at the end of June with the start of the new fiscal year. The tentative agreement was announced a week ago, but the details are still just emerging.