Labor

AFSCME said more than 95% of the 300-plus affected workers who cast votes approved the deal.

Glen Nelson, vice president of finance and planning at Illinois State University, said the union and ISU continue to have three sticking points concerning back pay and future salary raises. ISU has said it has already offered the union its best and final deal.

Illinois State University officials on Friday acknowledged using external companies to perform custodial and grounds work on campus during the AFSCME strike, a claim that the union contends in a lawsuit is a violation of state law. ISU officials maintain they are in compliance with hiring and procurement laws.

The union representing building and dining service workers at Illinois State University has sued the university, alleging it violated state law by hiring temporary workers during the union’s strike, which is now in its third week.

The union representing buildings, grounds, and dining services workers at Illinois State University said it will strike Wednesday if there is no contract agreement by then.

The union representing firefighters in the Town of Normal is giving up its request to add a fourth fire station. And the town is considering new traffic signal preemption technology that could cut 15-20 seconds off the average drive time to emergencies.

OSHA said Alliance Grain Co. violated safety standards by not properly guarding a sump hole, contributing to a seasonal laborer becoming injured. Alliance has not yet responded to the penalties, which total $276,407. The company said it's reviewing the citations.

Illinois State University's board of trustees on Friday approved a 5% tuition increase for new students arriving on campus this fall, with Chief Financial Officer Glen Nelson saying planners tried to minimize the impact of cost increases on those students.

Heartland student apprentices signed certificates reaffirming their commitment to employer sponsors ahead of their upcoming graduations. Among those partners are Bridgestone, Caterpillar Pontiac, OSF St. Joseph, Rivian, 8th Street Welding and Hydraulics and Westminster Village.

Gov. JB Pritzker says he's not ready to release $25 million in approved funds for higher education. That would include $1.6 million for Illinois State University.