Illinois House Plans Right To Work Vote
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- The Illinois House is planning a vote on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal that would allow local governments to permit workers to opt out of unions.
Democratic Speaker Michael J. Madigan's office says Thursday's vote is planned even though the governor hasn't filed a bill with the Legislature.
Rauner has spent recent months pitching city councils and business groups on the idea of local "empowerment zones." The zones would allow voters to make union membership voluntary, rather than mandatory, at unionized workplaces in their communities.
It's a key part of a set of pro-business reforms the governor wants passed in exchange for new revenue to help close a $6 billion budget gap in the fiscal year starting in July.
But Democrats say the proposal would significantly impact middle class families.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)