Rep. Sharon Chung Passes Bill Allowing Colleges, Educators to Work Together to Expand Benefits

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is ensuring fair employee rights to educators and other higher education employees by passing legislation that affirms that higher education employees can receive compensation and benefits beyond what is established in their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

“Both employers and employees can be hesitant to agree to terms of employment that differ from what was agreed upon through collective bargaining,” said Chung. “Explicitly clarifying that schools should treat their employee’s collective bargaining agreement as a minimum will allow both employees to receive greater rights and benefits, and allow school employers greater freedom to find and keep top talent.”

Chung’s House Bill 5079 clarifies existing law that employees of Illinois state universities can agree to employee rights that exceed those acquired through a CBA subject to the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. Chung led the bill to bipartisan support in the House, and now moves to the Senate.

“From community colleges to four-year universities, our state has some of the best schools in the nation,” said Chung. “Many of the fantastic employees that make our schools run deserve not only all the rights acquired in their collective bargaining agreement, but further compensation beyond that. This bill will help higher education employees understand the benefits they are able to receive.”