In an effort to reduce the power of unions in Illinois, Governor Bruce Rauner has eliminated "fair share dues" so that some government employees are not required to pay union dues. Rauner has recently spoke out about his problem with the political power public labor unions often hold. The state of Illinois is currently facing worsening economic conditions.
See "Illinois Governor Makes Union Dues Voluntary for Some State Workers", The New York Times, February 9, 2015