As Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to battle with organized labor, the state comptroller he appointed has cut a deal with union workers in her office. They'll get more pay but it won't drive up pension costs.
Comptroller Leslie Munger reportedly will give 220 full-time workers in her office a one-time, $1,000 payment in the next year in lieu of raises that also would boost pensions, Mike Riopell of the Daily Herald reported.
Munger intends to run for election to the seat next year, while Democrats, state Sen. Daniel Biss, and Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza are eyeing runs as well.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers reached the agreement for the payments with Munger, he reported, and money for them will come from funds from last fiscal year. Munger's spokesman, Rich Carter, and union spokeswoman Aviva Bowen each put their own best political spin on the news:
"The funds were available because the Comptroller identified efficiencies and cut costs, allowing the Office to return $500,000 to taxpayers and cut its budget by 10 percent," Carter said. "The approach allowed the Office to reward hardworking employees while avoiding increases in base pay and pension costs."
Plus, read more about Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle's latest pay raise proposal for county workers, which comes just two weeks after the county's sales tax was upped by one percent to 10.25 percent.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.