Rauner dealt blow in bid to stop union fair share fees

Source: Chicago Tribune

By Monique Garcia, Kim Geiger and Jessie Hellmann

Gov. Bruce Rauner's attempt to put in place right-to-work rules for state workers ran into its first challenge Friday when Comptroller Leslie Munger said she would continue to send to unions the fees paid by employees who decline membership.

The move effectively blocks an executive order Rauner issued Monday that would have put the "fair share" fees into a special account until a court could rule on whether employees should be required to pay them.

On Friday, Munger's office said the fees will continue to be deducted from worker paychecks and sent to employee unions following legal advice from Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who said the payments are legal and the comptroller must follow current law. The move puts Munger at odds with Rauner, who appointed her to fill the comptroller term following the death of Judy Baar Topinka late last year.

“After discussing this matter with all parties, Comptroller Munger will defer to the guidance of the Attorney General as it relates to what actions are within the scope of her legal authority," Munger spokesman Brad Hahn said in a statement.

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