The Illinois House is planning a vote on Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposal to allow local governments to permit workers to opt out of unions.
Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan's office has filed a bill mirroring the governor's proposal. The full chamber is expected to vote on it Thursday.
Rauner has been pitching city councils and business groups statewide on the idea of local "empowerment zones." The zones would allow voters to make union membership voluntary, rather than mandatory, at unionized workplaces. It's a key part 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.
Democrats say the proposal would significantly impact middle class families.
