IL HB0297

Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act to establish mandatory interest arbitration procedures for educational employees who are forbidden from striking and work for Chicago Public Schools (Article 34 districts)

Allows either the employer or exclusive representative of non-striking educational employees to elect fact-finding procedures, with the option to proceed to mandatory arbitration if either party rejects the fact-finding panel's recommendations

Sets detailed arbitration timelines including: mediation commencing 30 days before contract expiration, arbitration requests after 15 days of unsuccessful mediation, panel selection within 10 days, hearings beginning within 15 days, and decisions issued within 30 days of hearing conclusion

Requires arbitration panels to consider specific factors when making decisions, including employer financial ability based on existing resources, wages and conditions compared to the 10 largest U.S. cities, cost of living, and impact on the educational environment

Establishes that the governing body may reject arbitration terms only by a 3/5 vote at the next regularly scheduled meeting, with rejected terms returning to arbitration and the employer bearing all reasonable costs of supplemental proceedings including the union's attorney fees