Chung Measure Encourages Greater Civil Service Worker Protections and Benefits

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Sharon Chung, D-Bloomington, is empowering university workers and unions to pursue stronger worker protections and benefits with their employer. The Chung-sponsored measure received support in the House and is now in the Senate for consideration.

“Uncertainty surrounding the language of the Civil Service Act should not keep employers and unions from reaching agreements that further expand worker protections and benefits,” said Chung. “Clarifying this language is necessary because our employers and unions should feel encouraged to negotiate greater worker protections and benefits that will better their workplace not only for the employees but also for the employer.”

Chung’s House Bill 3046 clarifies that no part of the State Universities Civil Service Act prevents an employer or a union from reaching an agreement that expands employee protections
beyond the protections in the Act. By clarifying the language of the Act, employees and unions would be encouraged to pursue greater protections and benefits they may have been hesitant to pursue due to the language of the Act.

Chung’s bill passed in the House, received bipartisan support in the Senate Labor Committee and now moves to the Senate floor for consideration.