Fraternal Order of Police Expresses Support for Wisconsin Protesters

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, State Lodge, whose headquarters are in Western Springs, is assuring its members that it is monitoring the Illinois General Assembly for measures that could threaten member rights, in light of the vote early Friday morning in the Wisconsin Assembly that strips public unions of the right to collective bargaining.

Also, Illinois State Lodge President Ted Street said in a prepared statement that the Western Springs-based Illinois FOP is ready to stand with all Illinois labor organizations in support of those states that are being unfairly attacked through this sort of legislation and hopes that "we can all unite to ensure this situation does not continue to spread."

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, State Lodge "stands in support of our neighboring states and states nationwide that are being affected by legislation restricting or attempting to eliminate collective bargaining," Street said.

Illinois FOP Director of Governmental Affairs Dan Nelson said he spoke recently with a staffer for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan assigned to pension issues who stated that the Speaker intends to allow the matter to be fully debated in committee.

Republican-controlled legislatures in Ohio and Indiana are considering a measure similar to the one Wisconsin as passed.

According to the Illinois FOP, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) has weighed in on the national front by saying, “Workers across the country should have the right to stand together for fair compensation and a safe workplace. Wisconsin’s teachers and state workers should not be badgered by a governor who refuses to sit down and work out a fair compromise.”