ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — A Winnebago County courtroom is the setting for a struggle over Gov. Bruce Rauner’s so-called turnaround agenda.
A lawsuit by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 is technically about whether the Rockford City Council violated the state Open Meetings Act in April. The Rockford Register Start reports that aldermen approved a resolution supporting the Republican governor’s pro-business, anti-union proposals.
The first-term governor supports changes in state law that he says would lower the cost of doing business and crimp union power and boost the economy.
Republican state lawmakers urged the city to adopt a “compromise” resolution. It was not on the council’s agenda the night of the vote. Ed Maher of Local 150 says the lawsuit is justified.
A status hearing is set for Aug. 24.
