Cities in Illinois want their financial ability to be a factor in labor contract negotiations. Union workers in public safety jobs, like police officers and fire fighters, can collectively bargain, but they can't strike.
Instead, disputes are settled by an objective arbitrator. Illinois mayors, like Barrington Mayor Karen Darch, say that arbitrators should look at the "financial realities" facing local governments when making decisions.
"Currently, he does not have to consider the actual financial resources of the community. So, a 4% award when the community can only pay 2% is problematic."
The Illinois Municipal League is also asking for other changes to state law including making it easier for communities to get home rule authority.
Other proposals echo Governor Bruce Rauner's demands, like calls to ease prevailing wage requirements and to limit unfunded mandates passed down by the state.