Kane County Reporter

State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) is opposed to Amendment 1 for several reasons, including his opinion that it would make union bosses too powerful in Illinois.

Ugaste joined the Republican chorus vocally opposed to the Amendment saying it would strengthen unions, give teachers the ability to strike and increase property taxes.

“I did not vote to put it on the ballot because I think it is only going to create an uneven playing field in the labor and employment sector where contracts are negotiated,” Ugaste told the Kane County Report. “Labor and employees should be on a level playing field and this amendment favors one side over the other.”

Ugaste also thinks the Amendment doesn’t send the right message to businesses looking to locate in the state. “Illinois doesn’t enjoy a good perception as a place where businesses want to locate," he said, "and this amendment sends the wrong message at the wrong time."

Illinois voters will be asked during the Nov. 8 election whether Amendment 1 should be part of the state constitution. Amendment 1, according to Ballotpedia, would amend the Illinois Constitution to say that employees have a "fundamental right to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work."

It would also prohibit any law that "interferes with, negates or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively," including agreements that require union membership as a condition of employment.

Ugaste thinks the passage of the Amendment could ultimately impact the highest level of government. “Again, this gives far too much power to public sector unions in controlling how government operates as opposed to how best to run their state,” he said. “It should be the people’s rights to determine that.”

According to Illinois Policy, Illinois families will already see a $2,100 property tax increase per family over the next four years and even more if union bosses “exercise new powers.” Opponents also fear special interest causes could exacerbate corruption in Illinois.

“I mean we have some of the highest taxes in the nation already,” Ugaste said. “I have nothing against unions and believe they are needed, but I also believe our primary goal of government is to be accountable to the people we represent. We already have some of the highest taxes in the country.”

While every neighboring state prohibits strikes for most of their government workers, Illinois is currently expanding the ways in which unions can strike. In each of the past three years, the Chicago Teachers Union has walked out. The Chicago Teachers Union also struck back in 2012 and 2019.