The State of Illinois v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees

Arbitrator entered award in favor of AFSCME, a union of state employees, in dispute arising under CSAs (cost saving agreements), and found that State breached CBA and CSAs when it failed to pay agreed wages to employees of 14 agencies. Award drew its essence from arbitration agreement, and comports with overriding public policy of permitting State to negotiate enforceable multiyear collective bargaining agreements with unions of state employees. Award furthers the express constitutional policy forbidding General Assembly from passing any acts, including appropriation bills, that impair obligation of contracts.(SIMON and PIERCE, concurring.)