Labor unions say they are at an impasse with business groups in talks over how to resolve the remaining debt in the state’s unemployment insurance fund.
Governor JB Pritzker and lawmakers recently agreed to put $2.7 billion in federal pandemic relief funding toward the $4.5 billion deficit in the fund, but said labor and business would have to come to an agreement on how to deal with the rest. The labor groups say those talks should focus not just on the immediate problem, but on addressing long-term inequities in providing unemployment benefits.
The two sides now have until January to work out a deal before automatic tax hikes on businesses… and benefit cuts for workers… take effect.
