Trade unions want Kane County officials to change the way they award construction contracts in ways that could force the county to use more union contractors and push more people into joining local trade unions. A GOP-led county board rejected a nearly identical plan 10 years ago.
Labor lawyers and others say the effect of the collective bargaining rights amendment passed by Illinois voters is likely to be determined by courts and at the bargaining table.
If passed, the impact of the so-called “Workers Rights Amendment” would be twofold: The change would codify Illinois workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, while simultaneously prohibiting any law from being passed that would interfere with those rights.