IL state workers contract: AFSCME to take new vote
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The largest Illinois government employees' union will take a second ratification vote on its tentative three-year contract because of a continuing lawsuit over back wages.
Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees OK'd the contract agreement with Gov. Pat Quinn's administration on March 20.
But AFSCME announced Tuesday it would schedule a new vote because Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office hasn't dropped a lawsuit Quinn had pressed over raises due in 2011 and 2012.
The first vote was based on the Quinn administration's promise to drop the lawsuit.
Quinn agreed in the contract deal to pay the back wages. But he needs a $140 million appropriation from the Legislature to pay them.
Madigan says she won't drop the lawsuit until the money is approved.
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8

Health officials: 1 in 50 school kids have autism
NEW YORK (AP) — A government survey of parents says 1 in 50 U.S. schoolchildren has autism, surpassing another federal estimate for the disorder. Health officials say the new nu...

OB/GYNS TOLD ROBOT HYSTERECTOMY NOT BEST OPTION
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pricey robotic surgery shouldn't be the first or even second choice for most women who need a hysterectomy, says advice issued Thursday to doctors who help those...

ANGER, FEAR, TEARS NORMAL RESPONSE TO DISASTERS
BOSTON (AP) -- Kaitlyn Greeley burst into tears when a car backfired the other day. She's afraid to take her usual train to her job at a Boston hospital, walking or taking cabs ins...

SURGERY, THERAPY BOTH PROVE GOOD FOR KNEE REPAIR
You might not want to rush into knee surgery. Physical therapy can be just as good for a common injury and at far less cost and risk, the most rigorous study to compare these treat...

OBAMA PROPOSES $100M FOR BRAIN MAPPING PROJECT
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Tuesday asked Congress to spend $100 million next year on a new project to map the human brain in hopes of eventually finding cures for...

FDA head says menu labeling 'thorny' issue
WASHINGTON (AP) — Diners will have to wait a little longer to find calorie counts on most restaurant chain menus, in supermarkets and on vending machines. The head of the Food a...

US LAUNCHES NEW BATCH OF GRAPHIC ANTI-SMOKING ADS
NEW YORK (AP) -- Government health officials launched the second round of a graphic ad campaign Thursday that is designed to get smokers off tobacco, saying they believe the last e...

Study: Better TV might improve kids' behavior
SEATTLE (AP) - A new study has found teaching parents to switch channels from violent shows to educational TV can improve preschoolers' behavior, even without getting them to watch...