State Rep. Tony McCombie released the following statement, on Thursday, May 24, 2018, after the passing of HB 4290 by a bipartisan vote of 90 to ten. This bill finally gives American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) $63 million in back pay from 2011, for money they rightfully earned.
In January 2011, then-Governor Pat Quinn and AFSCME struck a deal. AFSCME members would give up half the value of their contractually mandated pay raises, in exchange for a promise that Governor Quinn would not lay off 2600 workers or close any State facilities until July 2011. AFSCME also accepted voluntary furlough days and other concessions to save the State about $50 million.
However, in July 2011, Quinn reneged on scheduled pay raises, and State workers never received the money they earned. The passing of HB 4290 finally ensures State workers will be paid. HB 4290 will now go to the Senate for approval. The bill should not be considered “new” spending, because it appropriates $63 million that was previously promised to State employees by Governor Quinn’s administration in 2011.
“It has been an honor to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get our State workers the back pay that they were promised by the Quinn Administration in 2011. Today is just the first step we needed to take to make right, the many years of mistrust and disservice to Illinois workers,” said Rep. McCombie. “I am hopeful that the Senate will follow our lead and pass this bill immediately, next week.”