Gov. Bruce Rauner's administration is outlining a new compensation system for state workers that includes merit pay and bonuses for employees who save taxpayers money.
General counsel Jason Barclay says the administration is implementing the system for members of 17 labor unions that signed new collective bargaining agreements last year.
In a memo to state agency directors, Barclay says the Republican governor has offered a similar compensation package to Illinois' largest state-employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
But AFSCME, which is still in negotiations for a new contract, isn't sold on the idea. Spokesman Anders Lindall said Thursday its ``ripe for abuse'' and ``would open the door to cronyism and favoritism.''
Rauner, a former businessman, says merit pay would make government more efficient.
