McHenry Times

Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake) commends a new wireless act and condemns an amended collective bargaining bill.

Skillicorn shared his views during recent House debate on two bills vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner. 

“We need to have a strong 5G infrastructure Illinois to keep millennials here and provide the technology that our citizens and constituents want and also that businesses need to grow and thrive,” Skillicorn said of SB1452 House Amendment 2, which creates the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act. “The people want 5G.”

Skillicorn later shared his scorn for an amendment to SB1905, which would remove the misdemeanor charge on any director, elected official, local government or political subdivision who doesn't comply with the Collective Bargaining Freedom of Information Act by voting to create right-to-work zones. It would leave intact the main purpose of the legislation, which bans right-to-work ordinances in Illinois.

“I point out this bill does not create a right-to-work, it does not take away a right-to-work, it doesn’t change the status here in Illinois,” Skillicorn said. “So no matter the outcome of this bill, Illinois will not become a right-to-work state or become the opposite of a right-to-work state. It is purely theatrics.”

Skillicorn referenced the First Amendment and the right to peaceful assembly.

“Shouldn’t that also extend itself to the right to not peacefully assemble?” Skillicorn asked. “I think the First Amendment does say that, and I think when the Supreme Court, when they rule on some of these cases next summer, they are going to guarantee the right to organize, but they are also going to guarantee the right not to opt out, and that is what I want to talk about.

“I think workers should decide what is in their best interest,” Skillicorn said. “I also think workers should decide where their dues go.”

Skillicorn argued that worker dues should not be used to fund political campaigns or go to a Chicago politician who might want to take away their guns.

“If a worker has a right to choose to assemble, then they have a right to choose that,” Skillicorn said. “They decide where their money goes, and currently in Illinois they do not have that ability. I urge my colleagues to vote 'no' because voting 'yes' is against workers' choice and where workers can choose to use their dues.”

The amendment passed, 73-38, and will now move to the Senate.