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 Amendment 1 is framed as a “Workers’ Rights
Amendment” by supporters, but it would harm more Illinoisans’ lives and incomes
than it could ever help.
While the amendment offers broadened protections to government workers – who
make up just 7% of Illinois’ adult population – it will increase taxes on
everyone.
That’s because Amendment 1 will drive up the cost of running government. The
money for the increased costs must come from somewhere. That somewhere is
taxpayers.
One conservative estimate is Amendment 1 could guarantee higher property taxes
of more than $2,100 during the next four years. But property taxes are just one
form of government revenue. Just since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office, there
have been 24 new taxes and fees implemented in Illinois that total over $5
billion.
No tax rate would be safe from the rising costs brought about by Amendment 1.
Government union contracts already cost taxpayers money. But Amendment 1
broadens the demands government unions could make beyond wages and benefits.
Those increased demands mean government contracts would cost even more money.
And that means taxpayers would be stuck in an endless loop of higher government
costs and rising taxes if Amendment 1 passes in November.
Government union contacts already cost taxpayers money
Government union contracts are funded by taxpayers. Expensive government
contracts – such as those in the union bastion of Illinois – cost taxpayers even
more.
Take the 2019 contract between Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public
Schools, which cost the typical Chicago homeowner at least $80 more per year in
property taxes to cover the cost. Or the contract negotiated that same year
between the state and AFSCME Council 31, which cost $3.6 billion more than what
taxpayers would have paid under a taxpayer-friendly contract.
Research shows states with stronger government unions have more debt, and more
debt means more taxes. That will be exacerbated in Illinois if Amendment 1 is
enacted, because it broadens negotiations beyond the typical subjects of
bargaining and will cost even more.
Amendment 1 broadens the demands government unions can make beyond wages and
benefits
The right to negotiate in Illinois is already quite broad. Negotiations between
the unions representing state and local government workers, including teachers,
cover wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment. Unlike most of
our neighboring states, there are no limits to the wages and benefits government
unions can demand.
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But Amendment 1 expands bargaining to encompass broad new subjects, including
“economic welfare” and “safety at work.” There is no definition or case law
explaining what those terms mean. They could encompass virtually anything.
CTU has already tried to negotiate broad, non-traditional “economic” subjects
into their contract with CPS, such as affordable housing. Boston Teachers Union
recently took a note out of CTU’s playbook when it negotiated the creation of
4,000 units of housing for homeless students into its contract. While the
provision may seem altruistic in nature, the creation of housing for students is
not traditionally negotiated into teacher contracts, and it will cost taxpayers
more.
More demands mean government union contracts will cost more money
The more that costly subjects are bargained into a contract, the more taxpayers
must pay to meet those costs.
Amendment 1 also grants government unions a permanent right to strike. They can
walk out on Illinois residents, denying them needed services if their demands
aren’t met. Even if government leaders don’t want to cave to the demands of
government union bosses, they will be at a significant disadvantage.
What’s more, bargaining over more subjects can take longer. Negotiations
themselves also cost money, and the longer they last, the more money they cost.
Longer negotiations over more subjects also allow room for more disagreement –
and therefore more opportunities for a union to go on strike and interfere with
the day-to-day lives of Illinois’ nearly 13 million residents.
Taxpayers will be stuck in an endless loop of higher government costs and rising
taxes
Bottom line: Amendment 1 would allow government unions to make demands outside
the normal scope of bargaining – and those expanded demands would come at a
cost.
That cost would be passed on the taxpayers.
The more expensive the demands and government costs over time, the more taxes
must increase to pay for them.
That endless loop of unlimited union demands, higher government costs and rising
taxes is likely why no other state has a similar amendment.
Illinois voters have a decision to make before Nov. 8. Either they can vote to
fund the never-ending demands of government union bosses, or they can send a
message by saying “no” to more tax increases in Illinois.
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