In what some consider to be a surprising move, the newsroom staff at the Chicago Tribune, a newspaper historically averse to organized labor, has announced that it is seeking to form a union. First Newsroom Union in Tribune History On April 11, 2018, journalists informed Tribune management that they are preparing to unionize the newsroom,>> Read More

On February 26, 2018, the Supreme Court of the United States heard arguments in Janus v. American Federation State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (known as Janus v. AFSCME). While the court’s decision is not expected until the summer, critics have predicted that the justices will vote five-to-four in a ruling that would likely>> Read More

On November 29, 2016, the Illinois House of Representatives failed by one vote to override Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 2964, the so-called “Prevailing Wage Bill.” The law would have required municipal governments to pay laborers based on negotiated agreements in the localities where that work takes place, as long as at least>> Read More

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has approved a second strike authorization vote, which will run from Sept. 21st to Sept. 23rd. This action came as union members began their first week of the academic year for Chicago Public Schools. By repeating the voting step that occurred last December, union leaders hope to remobilize members and>> Read More

In this month’s installment of WCIU’s popular  “Case or No Case” television segment, Chicago personal injury attorney Lou Cairo discusses a range of current topics including a potential damages claim for users of talcum powder, a pedestrian that suffered an injury while walking on a sidewalk grate and also a cyclist that was injured after>> Read More

Earlier this month, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a $5.4 billion budget similar to a deal previously rejected by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). By issuing this budget, some say CPS assumes the CTU will accept contract terms comparable to those rejected by the union in January. The CTU President has expressed that the union>> Read More

In the June 2016 installment of WCIU’s popular “Case or No Case” segment, GWC’s Lou Cairo discusses a range of common situations that may require the assistance of a legal professional – including accidents involving cyclists, stray dogs running in the park and an incident involving flying debris from a garbage truck. Click on the>> Read More

After nearly a year of negotiations, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has yet to reach a contract agreement with the city. Last week, the organization cited the governor, mayor and Chicago Public Schools as the cause of the gridlock concerning state education funding. In May, the mayor refused city tax increases, which were suggested by>> Read More

Despite threats of a strike, the Chicago Teachers Union likely won’t walk out in May. Concerns of a strike’s impact on pay and health insurance may keep teachers on the job until the end of the school year. Teachers’ salaries are often paid out over a 10-month period rather than one year; by striking in>> Read More

Last Friday, the Chicago Teachers Union took to the streets for a one-day strike at city schools. Teachers and other supporters marched downtown after efforts have stalled to renew a contract that expired at the end of June. The march shut down the nation’s third largest school district for the day. The president of the>> Read More

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced the layoff of 62 employees last week, including 17 teachers. The district also announced a plan to end to its practice of picking up pension costs for teachers, leading to renewed threats of a strike from the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). The cuts come as the CTU and CPS continue>> Read More

In the 2016 Valentine’s Day edition of WCIU’s “Case or No Case”, Chicago attorney Lou Cairo discusses a variety of scenarios centered around Valentine’s Day themes including a canceled Valentine’s Day dinner and also a diamond ring being given to a potential partner. Click on the video below for the full segment!  >> Read More