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AFSCME USES PRISONERS
AS PAWNS IN BUDGET DEBATE
Illinois Policy Institute
A
representative from the state-worker union called for collective action
from governments of prison towns to force Gov. Bruce Rauner’s hand in
the budget debate, which could expose thousands of incarcerated
Illinoisans to squalid, dangerous conditions.
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 A June 20 debate over the water bill at Western Illinois Correctional Center in
Mount Sterling, Ill., offered a window into the mentality of the American
Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees when dealing with Gov. Bruce
Rauner.
The union’s strategy? Win at all costs. Even if it means harm to incarcerated
Illinoisans.
The state owes the city of 1,900 residents more than $300,000 for water service,
according to the West-Central, Ill., Herald-Whig. On June 20, Mount Sterling
City Council held a debate over whether the town should shut off the water at
Western Illinois Correctional Center. Prison supporters came out in force to
oppose the water shutoff, as it would in all likelihood mean the shuttering of
the prison facility and a loss of jobs.
Mike Oeser, a chief steward with AFSCME Local 3567 and a worker at the prison,
testified before the council to this effect.
But his speech quickly became troubling.
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 Oeser suggested that if Mount Sterling did choose to shut down
the water supply to the prison, it would be much more effective if
Mount Sterling joined forces with other Illinois prison towns and
asked them to do the same.
“If you intend to pursue this shutoff action, everyone in our
community and everyone in every other adversely affected community
would benefit by you building a coalition,” Oeser said.
“Danville, Decatur, Galesburg, Canton, Pittsfield, Lincoln, Logan,
Jacksonville, these are all small communities I’m sure are in the
same place. If we fight this alone, this is one of those losing
battles.”
Exposing thousands of incarcerated Illinoisans to squalid, dangerous
conditions for political gain. That is the course of action put
forth by Oeser.
The Mount Sterling example proves a disturbing reality about the
mindset among those in the state’s largest government-worker union:
AFSCME’s demands come first. Prisoners be damned.
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