Gov. Pritzker wants AFSCME and ISU to resume negotiations as strike hits 4th week

https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2026-04-29/gov-pritzker-wants-afscme-and-isu-to-resume-negotiations-as-strike-hits-4th-week

WGLT | By Evan Holden
Published April 29, 2026 at 2:47 PM CDT

Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that he wants Illinois State University and the AFSCME union to come back to the negotiating table as the strike enters its fourth week.

Around 350 building, grounds, and dining workers with AFSCME went on strike April 8 after failing to reach a new contract. Pay (retroactive and future raises) is the key sticking point. The two sides haven't met for a negotiating session since April 15.

“All of them need to get back to the bargaining table,” Pritzker said Tuesday in Springfield. “It seems like there is a deal to be made. We want to make sure that happens in an expedited fashion. I do not like the idea that we have people who are not working.”

Pritzker said he supports universities getting more state funding. Pritzker is currently withholding 2% of last year's increase for higher education and has only proposed a 1% increase for this year’s budget. Higher education funding has also not kept up with inflation.

FULL story at link above.