CHICAGO (AP) - A case being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could affect whether labor unions in Illinois may continue collecting fees from non-members.
The high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments Monday in a California case brought by a group of public school teachers. They argue the mandatory fees - sometimes called "fair-share" fees - violate the First Amendment rights of workers who disagree with the union's positions.
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner issued an executive order last year ending the requirement that state employees who don't want to join their union pay the fees. The Republican also sued 27 labor unions.
That lawsuit has been on hold pending the outcome of the California case.
Unions say the fees help cover the cost of non-political activities from which all workers benefit.
