Chicago Business Litigation Lawyer Blog
Illinois has been navigating the idea of whether local communities should be able to choose whether to create their own right-to-work zones. There has recently been the inquiry of jurisdictions and cases where employers and unions are prohibited from entering into agreements that require workers to either join a union or pay related fees. As of late, these ideas have been pushed for in Illinois. Weakening the middle class and the weakening of labor unions is also a concern for those that fall into that category.
Right to work zones are said to be better for business. Nearby state Indiana may be getting more jobs and the corporations there are appearing to be becoming richer. The Senate Bill 1905 would have added protection for workers in Illinois by stopping cities from creating right-to-work zones. Law in Illinois is superseded by the National Labor Relations Act. The federal law is clear: the states have the right to enact or reject right to work laws — municipalities don’t.
It is believed that Illinois will be better positioned to be competitive nationally and globally and create an opportunity for all the people of our state. Through freedom to decide how reforms make its economy stronger, will help business grow. The ability to empower workers by choosing a union at their discretion is also important, as unions have a place in our society and serve the middle class. After all, it is unions that set pay standards and help to maintain the safety, as well as, working conditions of employees.
In the jurisdictional battle, the Illinois House failed to override union-backed legislation to prevent local governments from establishing right to work zones. Attempts at putting legislation in place by north suburban Lincolnshire to establish a right-to-work ordinance, which was later struck down by a federal court ruling that only states have the power to enact such laws. The village has appealed the federal court of ruling with the goal of reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. Blocks were also put in place by pushing for state legislation. While those measures failed, it is yet to be seen how this is further played out and whether or not it will be a victory for people and job growth or not. All is calm in Springfield for now after a year that brought more political drama and division.
Statistically speaking, it is felt that the right-to-work laws do appear to make a difference is in poverty. This figure is based on the fact that only three out of twenty states are right to work with the highest individual, family, and household incomes. On the other hand, the eighteen that have enacted right to work laws have the lowest incomes. It is also noteworthy that such states also rank poorly in educational funding and health status. For such reasons, a conclusion can be drawn in saying that corporations are the primary beneficiaries of right-to-work laws.
Our Illinois employment and sex discrimination attorneys have handled a number of civil rights lawsuits involving sex discrimination, pregnancy, race, and religious discrimination claims. Our Chicago non-compete agreement attorneys have also defended high-level executives in a covenant not to compete and trade secret lawsuits. A case in which our firm defended a former Motorola executive was covered in Crain’s Chicago Business. You can view that article by clicking here.
Lubin Austermuehle a firm of Chicago business dispute lawyers handles litigation over non-compete clauses for individuals and businesses of all sizes, including small or closely held businesses for whom competition from an ex-employee can be a serious threat. Our Chicago business lawyers with offices near St Charles, Joliet and Rockford have substantial experience in restrictive covenant and breach of contract cases, and we are proud of our record of strong results. We have successfully represented a number of doctors in non-compete, partnership, and other business disputes. We understand the complexities of physician partnership and non-compete agreements.
Lubin Austermuehle a Chicago business litigation law firm represents both plaintiffs and defendants in such cases, and can also help stop litigation before it starts by reviewing contracts to look for covenants and clauses that could create problems later. Our firm has also handled many shareholders and LLC disputes between owners of closely held corporations, and LLCs.
Based in Oakbrook Terrace and downtown Chicago, our Lake Forest and Glencoe employment and civil rights lawyers take cases from Northbrook and Barrington and many other cities throughout Illinois, as well as in Indiana, Wisconsin and the entire United States. To learn more or set up a free consultation, please contact one of our Chicago business dispute lawyers through the Internet or call toll-free at 630-333-0333 today.
Lubin Austermuehle’s Oak Brook, Naperville and Aurora litigation attorneys have more than three decades of experience helping clients unravel the complexities of Illinois and out-of-state non-compete and trade secret theft laws. Our Chicago business dispute attorneys also represent individuals, family businesses and enterprises of all sizes in a variety of legal disputes, including disputes among partners, shareholders, and LLC members as well as lawsuits between businesses and consumer rights, auto fraud, and wage claim individual and class action cases. In every case, our goal is to resolve disputes as quickly and successfully as possible, helping business clients protect their investments and get back to business as usual. From offices in Oak Brook, near Winnetka, Hinsdale and Lake Forest, we serve clients throughout Illinois and the Midwest.