Averting the possibility of a strike or lockout of thousands of unionized state employees is in the best interest of Illinois and the economy of the communities where they live, work and pay taxes, Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said Thursday.

Harmon is the Senate sponsor of House Bill 580, which would allow the use of binding interest arbitration when the State of Illinois and employees can’t come to terms on union contract negotiations.

The Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 38-17 on Thursday. It previously passed in the House and now will go to Gov. Bruce Rauner for consideration.

“I am concerned about the inability of the state and AFSCME to come to terms on a contract and what that could mean for state operations, particularly in light of Gov. Rauner’s past comments that he is willing to shut down the government to make a point with unions,” Harmon said.

“A strike or lockout of thousands of workers throughout Illinois is not good for businesses – from daycare centers and grocery stores to banks and utility companies – nor is it responsible to the taxpayers who expect the state services they pay for.”

The state and employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, have been without a contract since it expired June 30, 2015. In addition to AFSCME, the governor’s office has not reached a deal with 80 other state employee unions whose contracts are under negotiation.

Interest arbitration would be an optional tool that could bring moderation to labor talks and offer both sides an incentive to stay at the table, rather than go to a strike or a lockout.

“This legislation does not force any particular outcome to negotiations, nor will it cost the state a dime more to have arbitration available as a tool,” Harmon said. “But, clearly, in these difficult times for state government, it is critical that both sides stay at the table and reach a deal. HB580 would help to ensure that.”

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) joined members of the Illinois Senate today in voting to override the governor’s veto of legislation that would provide college tuition assistance through the Illinois Monetary Award Program.

“Today, members of the Senate struck a blow for college students all over the state. These students and their families find themselves caught in the middle of a budget stalemate that is causing Illinois’ higher education network to unravel,” Harmon said.

“Our message today is clear: these students have not been forgotten, and they deserve a chance to continue pursuing their education with the state’s help as promised. Overriding the governor’s veto of MAP grant funding was the right thing to do for the state of Illinois, for its people and for its economy.”

More than 130,000 middle- and low-income college students in Illinois benefit from MAP grants, which help to cover the cost of tuition at community colleges and universities statewide.

In Harmon’s district alone, 2,362 students were awarded more than $6.7 million in MAP grants during the 2015 fiscal year.

The Senate voted 37 to 17 to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 2043, which not only provides money for MAP grants for the 2015-16 academic year, but also includes money for community colleges and career-technical and adult education.

SB2043 passed both chambers in January, and the governor vetoed it in February.

The motion to override now heads to the Illinois House for consideration.

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) on Friday reacted to news of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of funding for Illinois’ Monetary Award Program, which provides tuition assistance for college low- and middle-income students:

“Today, Gov. Rauner turned his back on thousands of Illinois college students who were counting on him to fulfill the promise he made to them to provide tuition assistance. The governor’s disregard for higher education apparently knows no limits,” Harmon said.

The legislation is Senate Bill 2043.

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement today in reaction to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s budget address to the General Assembly:

“Last year Gov. Rauner presented the General Assembly with a budget proposal that was $6 billion out of balance. To this day, he has not charted a course for getting us in balance.

“Today, during this year’s budget address, the governor did not present a budget at all. Instead, he laid out stark and unrealistic choices – threats, really – for the General Assembly and for Illinois. His ultimatum is for lawmakers to either enact elements of his extreme agenda or abdicate our legislative responsibility and give him unilateral authority to cut programs and services as he sees fit.

“I find it interesting that Gov. Rauner is asking for a power that the Illinois Constitution already offers every governor – the power to line-item veto budget bills, which he failed to exercise last year.

“The governor is asking for a power already granted to him under the Illinois Constitution – the power to line-item veto – which he failed to use last year, instead issuing total vetoes that halted progress. Today was further evidence of his all-or-nothing demands, rather than a willingness to use tools designed to promote compromise and seek real solutions.

“Gov. Rauner spoke of priorities and coming together to fix the state’s long-term challenges. I believe Democrats in the General Assembly share the governor’s desire to unleash the full economic potential of Illinois. We disagree vigorously on the steps that effort requires.

“For example, rather than drive down wages and benefits for the middle class – which some of Gov. Rauner’s preferred policies would do – I would welcome the governor’s support for implementing a fair tax for all Illinoisans and doing away with the state’s constitutional provision for a flat, regressive tax.

“There are opportunities to collaborate on solutions to Illinois’ problems. If Gov. Rauner is willing to compromise – truly compromise, not just rebrand his extreme anti-middle class initiatives – then we can work together.”

Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) was presented with a 2016 Champion of Democracy award from Common Cause Illinois Wednesday night.

Harmon was recognized for his advocacy on behalf of early childhood education, government oversight and ethics, and expanded voting access.

Common Cause noted Harmon’s efforts to bring same-day voter registration to Illinois, as well as online voter registration and an expanded early voting period.

Harmon also supports proposed legislation to introduce automatic voter registration in Illinois. Such a system would allow eligible voters to automatically update their voter registration any time they update or renew their driver’s licenses.

“I will take whatever criticism is leveled at me for trying to expand access to the vote, because I cannot imagine a scenario where our world is not better off with more people participating,” Harmon said.

“If we make it easier to vote, to register, make it easier to get to the polling place on Election Day or to vote early by mail – the more we do to include people in our democracy, to include people in our decision making, the better decisions we’ll make.”

Harmon thanked Common Cause for the honor of being a 2016 champion of democracy, noting that while he is flattered and humbled to be singled out, he is happy to share the recognition with all of the people who have a hand in the initiatives he’s championed.

“It is so important that we make government more accountable, more transparent and – I think most importantly – less responsive to big money,” he said. “We are better off as a democracy when the field is level, when everyone’s voice is heard, when no one’s voice is so amplified that it drowns out everybody else’s voice.”

• Watch the video interview Common Cause did with Senator Harmon.