Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Key Vote on Arbitration Plan

Amanda Vinicky
Fraternal Order of Police Illinois State Lodge President Chris Southwood and 2nd VIce President Keith Turney; their organization wants an arbitration bill to become law.

The stakes will be high for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and state employees when the Illinois House votes -- perhaps as early as Wednesday -- on a measure that could have repercussions for years.

The vote comes as Rauner and the largest government workers' union, AFSCME, are trying to negotiate a new contract.

Rauner is hoping to kill legislation that would hand over his power to an arbitrator should the two sides come to an impasse.

The House vote is expected to be close.

Representative Scott Drury (D-Highland Park) is one of a few Democrats who said he's undecided.

"I am doing my due diligence. I know this: when it comes time to vote on this, that there won't be any member of the General Assembly who has done more independent due diligence on that than me," said Drury.

The legislation would forbid a lockout or strike.

Drury originally voted for the measure when it passed in May. But he said it's become such a big issue, he has to re-examine his thinking as the House decides if it will override the governor’s veto.