May 18--It's not often, if ever, that House Speaker Michael Madigan is seen pumping his fist in the air. But the usually reserved 74-year-old Democrat did just that Wednesday as thousands of state workers cheered while he fired up union troops gathered to protest against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
A crowd that Springfield police estimated at 10,000 flooded the streets in front of the Capitol, calling on Rauner to resume contract talks with the state's largest employee union and drop his demands that collective bargaining rights be scaled back before he'd sign off on a full state budget.
While Rauner has spent the last few weeks declaring he's optimistic a grand compromise could be reached before lawmakers head home for the summer, the union display was indicative of the deep ideological divide that's fueled the state's record-breaking budget impasse. It's also a preview for the November election, which will pit Rauner and his deep-pocketed business allies against the political network and manpower of Madigan and organized labor.
Participants marched from the Old State Capitol past the Executive Mansion, eventually gathering around a large stage built in the street near the Capitol steps. Labor groups and their supporters chanted and wielded anti-Rauner signs, including one that compared the private-equity-investor-turned-governor to C. Montgomery Burns, the super-rich, nuclear power plant-owning villain from "The Simpsons."
The union members also showed support for labor-friendly lawmakers in attendance, especially Madigan, who eventually made his way to the podium and described his dealings with Rauner as an "epic struggle."
"Tell me how you feel," Madigan told the crowd, proceeding to list elements of Rauner's legislative agenda, including limits to collective bargaining and an overhaul of worker's compensation that would put in place a tougher standard for employees to prove an injury happened on the job. After Madigan ticked off each item, the audience loudly booed.
The governor, who was not at the Capitol for the rally but instead visited businesses Downstate, was unfazed.
"If yelling and chanting and protesting solved problems, Illinois wouldn't have any problems," Rauner said during a stop in Carterville.
An spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said some workers took their lunch hour, some took the day off and others weren't scheduled to work Wednesday.
On Monday, Rauner vetoed legislation that would have prevented a lockout or strike if a state-appointed panel determines his contract negotiations with AFSCME Council 31 are at impasse. If an impasse is declared, it would allow Rauner to impose his own terms on the more than 38,000 workers the union represents.
It's the second time he's vetoed the bill, which would refer talks to an independent arbitrator. Last time, Madigan was unable to keep his caucus united to override the veto. AFSCME workers said they hoped Rauner will come back to the table and continue negotiations, whether or not Democrats are able to overturn the veto.
