SPRINGFIELD — In a 67-46-2 largely partisan vote Tuesday, the Illinois House of Representatives approved House Bill 580 to provide all state employees with the same option of a neutral arbitration process to resolve union contract disputes that is already available to state troopers and correctional officers in state government, as well as to police, first responders and other public safety workers at the local government level.

Governor Bruce Rauner is seeking to have state employees pay double their current cost to keep their health care while getting zero pay increase for four years.

He also seeks to wipe out existing protections against privatization and institute a program of bonuses that the union says will open the door to cronyism and favoritism in state government.

Last month Rauner walked away from negotiations with state government’s largest union, AFSCME, breaking the pledge he made to lawmakers last summer that he would continue to negotiate.

The legislation affects more than 70,000 state employees represented by seven unions, including child protection investigators, caregivers for veterans, state parks employees, nurses, and home care and child care workers.

The bill does not require interest arbitration but allows it as an option. Interest arbitration is a long-established, fair process under which an independent arbitrator mutually chosen by the parties conducts hearings, examines the issues where differences remain between the parties—taking into account factors such as the state’s fiscal condition—and issues a recommended settlement that the parties may accept.

The full House vote can be seen HERE. The bill now goes to the Illinois Senate.