Downtown Springfield and locations across Illinois probably haven't seen this many green shirts since St. Patrick's Day. AFSCME's green shirted members raised their voices in protest against Governor Rauner's plan to impose his terms for a new labor deal for the 38,000 workers covered by the union. Local 997 President Nicole Power was among protesters who turned out at the Department of Revenue's headquarters, the Willard Ice Building.

Workers protested at 120 sites in all. Governor Rauner plans to impose his terms for AFSCME's next contract after the Illinois Labor Relations Board declared talks between Rauner and the workers union were at an impasse. AFSCME plans to fight the impasse declaration in court.