Illinois Quick Hits: ISU union workers reach deal, return to work

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – More than 300 Illinois State University employees are back on the job after ratifying a new five-year contract and ending a strike that began April 8.

AFSCME Local 1110 members will receive an immediate 3.5% pay increase and $1,500 signing bonus, plus additional 3% raises on each July 1 from 2026 through 2029.

ISU and AFSCME came to the agreement after a sixth meeting with a federal mediator on Monday.

TAXPAYERS HELP COMBE EXPAND IN RANTOUL

Illinois taxpayers are providing $5 million for Combe Inc. to expand and retain its manufacturing operations in Rantoul.

A statement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office says Combe will invest $30 million in the Rantoul facility and create more than 20 full-time jobs.

CONSUMER GROUPS PROTEST PROPOSED GAS RATE HIKE

Illinois Public Interest Research Group and the Citizens Utility Board say the Illinois Commerce Commission should slash $137 million from a proposed $200 million rate hike by Peoples Gas.

The consumer groups cited bonuses for corporate executives, inflated profit margins and wasteful spending on a pipe retirement program.

PIRG and CUB held a news conference on Wednesday and said the Illinois Attorney General’s Office called for eliminating the rate hike entirely and giving customers a $4 million rate cut.

APPLICATIONS TO BE AVAILABLE FOR SPECIALTY CROP GRANTS

The Illinois Department of Agriculture says it will distribute more than $796,000 in federal funds over the next three years to expand access to locally grown produce and boost the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry.

An application for grant funding will be available this week on the Illinois Department of Agriculture website and must be returned to the Department by noon June 5.

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, local and government entities, trade and commodity associations, public and private colleges and universities.

CHICAGO OFFERS CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS

Chicago officials have announced a new scholarship program for students who live or attend high school in Chicago Transit Authority Red Line extension project zip codes.

The $250,000 scholarship program was created in partnership with a Red Line extension contractor, Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners and will provide three students a year with $3,000 scholarships.

Recipients will be selected based on achievements and financial need and must plan to pursue a degree in engineering, architecture, construction management or similar field.