Governor Rauner’s plans receive a setback

Illinois’ Democratic attorney general has delivered a blow to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner’s efforts to weaken labor unions.

Lisa Madigan on Friday issued formal opinions saying two of Rauner’s proposals would be illegal.  The first would allow local governments to create so-called “right to work zones” where union membership would be voluntary. The other would let local governments opt out of prevailing wage agreements, which require workers on government projects to receive wages that reflect local compensation for similar jobs.