The Illinois House has approved a controversial labor-backed measure.
The vote was 67 to 45.
It would let an arbitrator settle the stalled contract talks between AFSCME - the largest state employees' union - and Governor Bruce Rauner. It would also prevent AFSCME from striking.
Republicans fought against it. They say it will strip the governor of his authority and cost taxpayers money. But unions say it's necessary because Rauner has made unprecedented demands of workers.
A Democratic lawmaker who's broken with his party on several key issues has done so again.
Representative Ken Dunkin, from Chicago, earned himself a primary opponent by skipping a key vote on a bill backed by organized labor.
Tuesday, Democrats again passed the labor bill. This time Dunkin voted no.
He says he's been with unions most of the time in his 13-year career in Springfield, despite his recently soured relations.
"They have no loyalty to any black politician in the General Assembly."
Dunkin says he wanted a last-minute change to the legislation to help black and Latino state employees.
The sponsor of the bill - who like Dunkin is black - says it was too late to make such a change, but would support the idea in the future.
The vote comes after Rauner's formal request to declare negotiations are at an impasse. That's the first step toward AFSCME members having to accept Rauner's contract offer, or choosing to strike.
