Quinn Files Appeal Over Worker Contract Raises

Gov. Pat Quinn has filed an appeal over a Cook County judge's ruling that the state must pay wage increases promised to workers in 2011.

Last month a Cook County circuit judge ruled that Illinois must pay the raises to members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The Chicago Democrat reneged on the raises in 2011 because the state Legislature hadn't sent him money to cover it.  The appeal was expected.

Quinn's spokeswoman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment on Wednesday. 

In a statement AFSCME claims the appeal "needlessly prolongs'' the costly and time-coming legal battle over the wages of some 30,000 employees.

Employees who are affected include those who work for the Illinois Department of Corrections and the Human Rights Commission.