The Third House: State Lobbying Essentials 2017

January 25th, 2017

The Third House: State Lobbying Essentials 2017 The Third House: State Lobbying Essentials is a day-long seminar on how to lobby the Illinois General Assembly effectively. Participants will receive vital information on practical lobbying skills and resources, advanced strategies and tactics, state budget insights and considerations, and winning grassroots efforts from various experienced and successful […]

The Monitor-Fall/Winter 2016

January 4th, 2017

Key Articles –America’s Infrastructure First Policy–Illinois Safe Roads Amendment Passes in Landslide–Construction and the Benefit of Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Aurora bridge improves safety at once-deadly railroad crossing

December 20th, 2016

  A new bridge carries Route 34 over the Canadian National railroad in Aurora, where two teens were killed when a train struck their car in 1999. Now, two lanes of traffic in each direction as well as bicyclists and people on foot can continue on their way while an average of 42 trains a […]

How prevailing-wage laws help veterans

December 9th, 2016

In about six weeks, President-elect Donald Trump and the two houses of Congress will own responsibility for delivering on some big promises. Two featured repeatedly in his campaign were fixing our infrastructure and “taking care of vets” who are being treated “horribly.” These two issues are not as disconnected as you might think. Veterans work […]

Illinois Safe Roads Amendment Passes in Landslide

November 28th, 2016

In a landslide result, nearly 80 percent of voters approved the Illinois Safe Roads Amendment on Election Day. This will amend Illinois’ Constitution to ensure that transportation revenue, including motor fuel tax and vehicle registration, cannot be spent for purposes other transportation. This effort was spearheaded by Local 150 and partners in labor, business, agriculture […]

The Monitor-Spring/ Summer 2016

August 21st, 2016

Key Articles –Road Fund Lock Box –Prevailing Wage repeals hurt Veterans most –Will County, Illinois acts responsibly to population growth

III FFC at Pipefitters Local 597

August 12th, 2016

  On August 9-10th, the III FFC participated in a two day training at Pipefitters Local 597 on fair contracting and responsible bidding. The workshop focused on establishing a sound foundation for labor activists to help keep signatory contractors competitive and protect Union jobs. Thank you to everyone who participated and stay tuned for upcoming events.

Stand strong against ‘right to work’ laws

June 21st, 2016

  Teachers, firefighters, nurses and other public servants dedicate their careers to helping others. They deserve the unfaltering support of a grateful nation. Yet some extremists want to undermine these hard-working public servants’ ability to negotiate a fair wage and essential benefits by touting so-called “right to work” laws. Don’t be misled by these extremists’ […]

Illinois roadwork projects at risk in budget standoff

June 21st, 2016

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ transportation secretary says the state faces the unprecedented prospect of missing a road construction season if lawmakers fail to approve a stopgap spending plan that Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed. “We’re on the brink of what was once unthinkable: the suspension of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s construction program,” IDOT chief Randy […]

Fix Illinois Roads and Bridges

May 19th, 2016

Over 4,200 Illinois bridges and half of Illinois roads were found to be in poor condition. That puts us in danger of bridge collapses like we saw in Minnesota and Indiana. Bad roads mean more traffic and cost drivers up to $400 a year in vehicle damage. Tell your state legislator to fund Illinois roads […]

Prevailing Wage for Veterans & Their Families

May 13th, 2016

Check out this VoteVets Action Fund video. Prevailing Wage is for Veterans and their Families. https://www.dropbox.com/s/t4sfcvee21jlun1/VoteVets%20Action%20Fund%20-%20Job%20YouTube.mp4?dl=0

Meet the government guys standing up for franchise workers and contractors

March 10th, 2016

How labor agencies are targeting worker bargaining power in an increasingly outsourced world. By Lydia DePillis March 9 National Labor Relations Board general counsel Richard Griffin has started to restore worker bargaining power in a “fissured” workplace. (Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post) Richard Griffin swears he had no agenda when he came to serve as […]

Unions Sue Little Lincolnshire Over Right To Work Ordinance

February 24th, 2016

Four labor unions are suing suburban Lincolnshire to overturn a December ordinance meant to bar private employers from requiring workers to join unions or pay their dues.  A suit in Chicago federal court centers on whether a local government even has the power to do that. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a formal opinion […]

Illinois Spends Less on Higher Education and Transportation than Almost Every Other State

February 22nd, 2016

By Frank Manzo IV Two weeks ago, I wrote about how more infrastructure investment would kickstart the Illinois economy. Transportation infrastructure investment is one government spending item that conclusively boosts employment and reduces costs over the long run. Investment in human capital– in education and skills– is another. Unfortunately, data from the Social Science Research […]

Which road funding option is the best for Indiana?

February 17th, 2016

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — Indiana roads are at a crossroads when it comes to upkeep and funding. One Purdue road expert is pushing for a solution, but it will need political backing. Purdue civil engineering professor Kumares Sinha said Indiana once had some of the best roads in the world. But now he says, […]

Courier-Journal: Why Right to Work Is wrong

January 25th, 2016

I wasn’t surprised to see Kent Oyler’s commentary extolling the benefits of so-called Right to Work. After all, Mr. Oyler’s salary is paid by business owners, for whom busting unions and lowering wages is a long-sought dream. For the rest of us, though, Right to Work (better called Right to Freeload) is a nightmare. And let’s get […]

Illinois Economic Policy Institute: Fix the Budget

January 25th, 2016

It is time to Fix the Budget in Illinois. The Problem Illinois is experiencing a budget crisis. The State of Illinois now faces a $9 billion annual deficit, according to the Institute of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. The Governor and the General Assembly are at an impasse, leaving the state […]

The Monitor – Fall/Winter 2015

January 24th, 2016

IRIDE: A Smart, Reliable Policy to Fund Transportation Infrastructure

January 11th, 2016

Illinois’ transportation infrastructure has reached a fork in the road. The state can continue down the path of unsustainable funding with deteriorating roads, bridges, and commuter rail OR it can be a global leader in smart, comprehensive infrastructure investment that drives economic growth.

Currently, one in every nine bridges is structurally deficient.

November 4th, 2015

Click on the link below to locate the crumbling infrastructure in your area. http://t4america.org/maps-tools/bridges/

The Monitor – Spring/Summer 2015

July 20th, 2015

Key Articles: – Getting Congress In Gear – Indiana’s Race To The Bottom – The Future In Davenport, Iowa

The Monitor – Fall/Winter 2014

December 20th, 2014

Key Articles: – Federal Highway Trust Fund—empty – 60 Years of success at Stenstrom – Capital Improvements in Clinton, Iowa