Bill > HB2521

This bill amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act and the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to make several changes regarding the recognition of exclusive bargaining representatives, the conduct of representation elections, and unfair labor practices. Key provisions include: - Allowing the showing of employee support for a union petition to be evidenced by electronic communications and electronic signatures. - Requiring the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board to designate an exclusive representative for collective bargaining when the representative demonstrates majority interest, without necessarily conducting an election. - Prohibiting employers from permanently replacing employees who participate in a lawful strike, discriminating against those employees, or locking out employees to influence collective bargaining. - Expanding the list of unfair labor practices for both employers and unions, including prohibitions on interfering with employee rights related to union membership and dues deductions. - Allowing for electronic voting in representation elections in addition to paper ballots. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen protections for public sector employees' collective bargaining rights and union representation.