State workers suing to put an end to mandatory union dues will appeal a judge's order dismissing their case. That's according to their attorney, Jacob Huebert, who is with the conservative-supported Liberty Justice Center.
At issue are fees Illinois government employees pay to cover unions' collective bargaining costs. Huebert says they shouldn’t be required; he alleges the so-called "fair share" fees also support politics.
Huebert says he wasn't surprised by the federal judges' order… given the U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision earlier this year in a similar case from California. That decision came after Justice Antonin Scalia died. Huebert is hopeful the nation’s high court will revisit the issue in the future.
"So this case will now move on up and it's possible that eventually the Supreme Court could consider this case."
Labor advocates say fair-share fees are necessary for unions' future. A spokesman from the state's largest public employees' union - AFSCME - declined comment. The Teamsters did not respond to requests.
Republican Governor Bruce Rauner tried to use his executive authority to eliminate fair share fees. But the comptroller isn't abiding by that order because she says it would break the law.
