SB3647 Summary

• Designates the act as the Illinois PRO Act and amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act to strengthen protections for public employees in collective bargaining disputes.

• Authorizes the Illinois Labor Relations Board to order "make-whole relief" including consequential damages and front pay for employees or labor organizations injured by unfair labor practices, in addition to traditional remedies.

• Establishes impasse arbitration procedures when the Board determines a refusal to bargain violation was serious enough to undermine the collective bargaining process, with parties maintaining a duty to bargain in good faith during arbitration.

• Imposes liquidated damages equal to any monetary make-whole relief ordered unless the employer demonstrates it acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to believe it was complying with the Act.

• Modifies Section 14 arbitration procedures by referencing both Sections 11 and 18 in disputes involving security employees, peace officers, and fire fighters.