Bill
HB 2973
Illinois: defines 'public sector attorney' and bans strikes; requires interest arbitration to resolve bargaining impasses.
Note: The bill text in the record appears to contain material from two different jurisdictions and topics: (A) an Arizona “state budget implementation; FY2026” portion addressing unrestricted federal monies and the Budget Stabilization Fund, and (B) an Illinois amendment to the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act (IPLRA) that adds a new definition for certain public-sector attorneys, prohibits strikes by those attorneys, and requires interest arbitration for impasses. This summary treats both components separately and highlights procedural history recorded in the document.
Purpose
- To direct treatment of certain federal receipts and temporarily change rules governing the state Budget Stabilization Fund (BSF) for specified fiscal years.
Key provisions
- Unrestricted federal monies received by the State between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 must be deposited into the State General Fund and used to pay “essential government services.” Section applies retroactively to on or after June 30, 2025.
- Budget Stabilization Fund exceptions (notwithstanding A.R.S. §35‑144):
- For FY 2025–2026, FY 2026–2027 and FY 2027–2028 the Legislature is not required to appropriate monies to or transfer monies from the BSF.
- For FY 2025–2026 the BSF is not limited to 10% of State General Fund revenue, and the State Treasurer may not transfer any surplus monies from the BSF to the State General Fund.
Affected parties/impact
- Arizona state finances: alters the treatment of federal receipts and temporarily suspends or relaxes statutory BSF constraints for the listed fiscal years, which could change available General Fund resources and the operation of the BSF.
Purpose
- To define “public sector attorney” and change collective bargaining/impasse remedies for those employees.
Key provisions (as summarized in bill synopsis)
- “Public sector attorney” is defined to include (when not managerial employees): Assistant State’s Attorneys, Assistant Public Defenders, Assistant Appellate Defenders, Assistant Appellate Prosecutors, and attorneys in the Cook County Public Guardian’s office.
- These public sector attorneys are prohibited from striking.
- If the parties reach an impasse in bargaining with respect to a unit of public sector attorneys, the dispute must be submitted to interest arbitration.
Effective date / amendments
- Introduced version: effective December 1, 2026.
- House Amendment 002: replaces “December” with “July” and “2026” with “2025” — which would move the effective date earlier (to mid‑2025) if adopted and enacted.
Affected parties/impact
- Targeted employees: Assistant State’s Attorneys, Assistant Public Defenders, Assistant Appellate Defenders, Assistant Appellate Prosecutors, Cook County Public Guardian attorneys (when not managerial).
- Public employers (state, counties, Cook County) and labor organizations representing those attorneys — changes dispute‑resolution options by requiring interest arbitration rather than permitting strikes.
- Potential operational and fiscal impacts for government legal offices (arbitration costs, altered bargaining leverage, continuity of legal services).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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