Some local State of Illinois employees who have been denied step increases appear to be closer to getting their money. State officials have been given just 20 days to explain to the Illinois Labor Relations Board the reasons for lengthy delays in paying unionized state workers their step increases. Some of the raises have been owed to AFSCME members since 2015. Governor Bruce Rauner’s administration stopped paying the raises when the old contract expired at the end of June that year.
Courts have ruled the administration did not have the authority to stop the raises while negotiations were underway for the new contract. The decision by the Labor Board adds the union members who were denied the step increases are entitled to receive seven percent interest on the money they are owed.
