U.S. Rep. Bill Foster recognized Aurora Township for rejecting Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner’s resolution to create “right-to-work” zones in a speech yesterday on the floor of Congress.
The Aurora Township Board voted unanimously at their April 14 meeting against a model resolution proposed by Gov. Rauner that laid out his “Turnaround Agenda.”
The board objected strongly to creating local “right-to-work” zones, eliminating prevailing wage on public works projects and undermining public employee bargaining rights, said Aurora Township Supervisor Bill Catching.
“We recognize that the State of Illinois is facing serious financial problems,” Catching said. “A broad attack on the collective bargaining rights of workers is not the answer.
“We appreciate Rep. Foster’s recognition in his remarks yesterday and applaud him for taking a strong stand on this important issue.”
The text of Rep. Foster’s remarks is below:
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
Today, I rise to commend the communities in my district that have rejected the Governor of Illinois’ efforts to create so-called “right-to-work zones.”
Rather than lifting Illinois up to make life better for working families, the Governor’s divisive plan would drag down all corners of the state in a race to the bottom.
These zones are a gimmick to pit communities against each other, to deprive workers of their rights, and to weaken unions.
Rather than creating good paying jobs for Illinois workers, these zones will depress wages across the state by incentivizing companies to move to whatever town offers them the possibility of paying lower wages and offering fewer benefits.
We shouldn’t be asking hardworking men and women to work for poverty wages to make up for the fiscal deficit Illinois faces.
A deficit which is caused, in large part, by laws that we pass right here on the floor of Congress that cause the citizens of Illinois to pay $20 billion more each year in taxes than we get back in federal spending.
Unions did not cause the problems that Illinois faces, and cutting workers’ pay will not solve them.
So I commend those in Naperville, Aurora Township, Oswego, and communities throughout Illinois fighting against this bad policy.
I’m proud to stand with you.
Video of Foster’s speech is available here.
The Aurora Township board represents approximately 150,000 people in Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery and unincorporated areas. It is the largest township by population in Kane County where Gov. Rauner stopped earlier this month seeking support for his resolution.
“We urge the Kane County Board as well as the other municipalities within our township to join us in formally rejecting this so-called Turnaround Agenda resolution,” Catching said.
