A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed Gov. Bruce Rauner's lawsuit challenging the requirement that non-union public employees pay a share of collective bargaining costs, but allowed three workers contesting the payments to proceed with their own complaint.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman's ruling was the latest in an unfolding battle between the new Republican governor and public employee unions. Rauner has pushed to reduce union influence in government, even ordering his payroll agency in February to stop collecting so-called fair share fees, before later agreeing to have them collected while lawsuits play out.
At issue are fees required by state law and collective bargaining agreements that require non-union members to pay a share of the costs of contract negotiations and contract enforcement.
Rauner is seeking to have the issue brought to the U.S. Supreme Court, believing it is an unconstitutional violation of First Amendment free speech and freedom of assembly.
Daniel Luzer is GOVERNING's news editor.
