The State of Illinois has embarked on a historic investment in building and improving public infrastructure – $41,000,000,000 (41 billion) over six years.

Without Illinois’ professional and technical employees, (commonly referred to as “ProTech”), such as engineers, engineering technicians, surveyors, and chemists, etc., this monumental State undertaking cannot succeed.

The State’s professional and technical employees worked through the pandemic, and now work under extreme staffing shortages. These workers keep Illinois’ roads and bridges safe and operational and now; they must keep the historic infrastructure projects on time and on budget.

And they do it all for less salary than their counterparts in the private sector.
Commitment to public service and pride of accomplishment motivate these employees as much as anything else, but one tangible benefit that attracts them to and keeps them at their jobs is high-quality health insurance.

State officials are trying to take away this benefit that is critical “infrastructure” for the health and wellbeing of the employees and their families.

Taking away the professional and technical workers’ current insurance could result in their exodus to the private sector to make up for the loss; and the real loss will be to the people of Illinois, whose badly needed infrastructure projects will be delayed and corrupted, and whose day-to-day travels will be less safe and more onerous.

The State and Governor Pritzker must protect the public’s infrastructure by protecting State workers’ current health insurance.

I am proud sign this petition in support of the Illinois’ professional and technical workers fighting for a fair union contract.