Judge Allows Union-Fee Lawsuit to Proceed _ Without Rauner
Source: ABC News-AP
By JOHN O'CONNOR
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner's lawsuit over forced fees paid by non-union state workers may proceed, but without the governor participating, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman decreed that the Republican, who has tried to limit labor unions' political influence in his short tenure, does not have sufficient interest in the matter to seek a federal opinion that so-called "fair-share" fees are unconstitutional.
And he declared Rauner cannot collect the fair-share fees and keep them in a separate account — away from the unions — until the matter is settled.
But the judge decided that three non-union Illinois workers who were added to the suit later may press the case. Mark Janus of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Marie Quigley of the Department of Public Health and the Transportation Department's Brian Trygg are better positioned to show "injury" from being forced to pay the fees, but they must prove as legal action moves forward that federal intervention is justified.
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Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/judge-illinois-union-fee-lawsuit-proceed-31161565