Today, the Illinois Labor Relations Board finally weighed in on Governor Rauner’s terrible DHS overtime policy.

Prior to the hearing, personal assistants and people with disabilities held a press conference to highlight the devastation this policy has had on people’s lives and urge the Labor Board to order Rauner to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair policy. Click here to view photos from the press conference.

Unfortunately, the Labor Board overruled the previous administrative law judge’s decision and instead sided with Governor Rauner, upholding his overtime policy that caps hours at 45 hours per week for personal assistants. This is very disappointing, but not surprising. After all, Rauner has appointed those who sit on the Board and today they handed him the ruling he had been hoping for.

What this means is that the DHS overtime policy remains in place for now. However, this fight will continue.

We have already appealed the Board’s decision to the appellate court. We have fought this policy for two-and-a-half years and we aren’t giving up now.

On Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. we will host a telephone town hall meeting to discuss this decision and provide other important updates on federal changes that will impact our union and our 48-cent raises and back pay that we continue to fight Governor Rauner for. Mark your calendar and make sure you join us for this important conversation.