Illinois Pay Raise Dispute

An Illinois judge is scheduled to rule this afternoon on whether Gov. Pat Quinn must give 2 percent pay raises to state workers.

Quinn canceled the raises in July 2011 because he said the Legislature didn't provide him the needed $75 million. But an arbitrator's non-binding decision indicated the Democratic governor was bound by the contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Quinn sued and AFSCME countersued.

The contract actually called for a 4 percent increase. But AFSCME agreed to postpone half of that to help the state balancing its deficit budget.

The union also sued in federal court arguing constitutional violations but an appellate court ruled in May that it couldn't force the state to spend money.