Illinois quick hits: Food service workers strike at U of I; CPS offers teachers 4 and 5 percent raises

Food service workers strike at U of I

Food and building service workers at the University of Illinois are preparing to strike. Their current contract expires Saturday after several months of negotiations. Union workers voted down the latest contract proposal, saying they must be paid more if they serve more students. The union, representing 763 workers, said the strike would begin Sept. 15.

CPS offers teachers 4 and 5 percent raises

Chicago teachers are in for some hefty raises. The Chicago Public School District plans to offer union members 4 percent raises in 2025 and between 4 and 5 percent raises in each of the next three years. The raises will depend on the rate of inflation. The district will also expand health care and dental coverage without additional employee costs. The district said the current average salary for teachers in Chicago is over $94,000.

Illinois Conservation Police remind boaters about life jackets

This Labor Day weekend, the Illinois Conservation Police reminds boaters that wearing a life jacket is the No. 1 way to prevent drownings. This year alone, conservation police have responded to 48 boating-related incidents, resulting in 15 fatalities and 15 injuries. Two of the deaths were caused by severe injuries, but 13 were the result of drowning. In 2023, conservation police reported 12 fatalities out of 70 reportable boating-related incidents. They said while the number of reported incidents is trending down this year, the percentage of deaths per incident has climbed considerably.