Rauner Loses First Fight In Union Dues Court Battle

A federal judge says a lawsuit labor unions filed over Gov. Bruce Rauner's order ending mandatory dues for nonmembers should be heard in state court.

U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle issued her ruling Monday in the Southern District of Illinois.  

Rauner and the unions have been battling in court since the Republican ended so-called ``fair share'' dues.  

The question of where those arguments should be heard has become a major piece of their fight.  

Rauner wants the issue decided in federal court. He wants the U.S. Supreme Court to ultimately declare the dues unconstitutional, ending them for unions nationwide.  

Labor unions want the matter in state court because they don't want to risk a ruling with national impact.  

The fight isn't over. Another case is pending in federal court in Chicago.