IL HB1849

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act regarding arbitration for peace officers, fire fighters, and security employees' collective bargaining disputes.

Limits arbitration panel consideration of a unit of government's ability to meet costs to only existing revenues, excluding any consideration of raising tax rates or imposing new taxes.

Requires the arbitration panel to fully consider the impact of awards on the municipality's staffing and funding of other operations when making decisions.

Maintains existing procedural requirements for mediation (30 days before contract expiration) and arbitration timelines, including hearing commencement within 15 days and conclusion within 30 days unless parties agree otherwise.

Preserves restrictions on arbitration scope for peace officers and fire fighters, limiting decisions to wages, hours, and conditions of employment while excluding matters like residency requirements in cities with populations of 1,000,000 or more, equipment types, total staffing numbers, and use-of-force criteria.