Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker(D) has passed legislation that requires state casinos that allow their workers to enter into labor agreements.
Senate Bill 1360 passed the Illinois General Assembly last month. The legislation, which received Pritzker’s signature yesterday, requires that casinos work with the union that allows their work to enter into a labor agreement.
Pritzker said, “Expanding access to economic opportunity through high-quality jobs has been a priority since day one for this administration. SB 1360 meets that commitment while establishing a process that gives all hardworking men and women certainty and safe treatment.”
For casinos that are already licensed under the state’s government, when the situation comes to renew the license, the company is liable to provide evidence to the Illinois Gaming Board that it has engaged in good-faith negotiation with its workers. The bill makes it necessary that each casino should enter into a fully executed project agreement act.
SB 1360 applies to permanent positions within the casino parameter and the construction contractors.
Saving State Interests
Bypassing the casino measures, Pritzker explained that the bill will prevent casino operators from bringing workers from out of the state at lower wages.
The billionaire governor appreciated Rep. Jay Hoffman for his “steadfast commitment to communities across the state.”
Hoffman, assistant majority leader, said, “This legislation is about protecting Illinois jobs, and about keeping good-paying jobs. I’m glad that this critical measure will ensure that we uphold our promises to our local labor unions.”
Illinois hosts 10 casinos. One of the largest unions of gaming workers in the world, UNITE HERE, represents more than 100,000 employees in the gaming industry. In Illinois, UNITE HERE Locale 1 is one of the leading unions of state casinos.
UNITE HERE Locale 1 represents more than 15,000 hospitality workers, many of them are employed by casinos in Northwest Indiana and Illinois.
The Illinois gaming industry is regularly expanding. The 2019 gaming package signed by Pritzker has authorized five casinos in the Chicago suburbs.
