The Illinois Nurses Association is suing Cook Country over a new 20-hour limit on voluntary overtime. The dispute arose after local lawmakers objected to overtime bonuses paid out to union nurses under an existing contract. According to records, more than 50 county employees clocked more than $50,000 each in overtime last year. Three nurses earned more than $100,000 each in payments. Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers are working to come up with ways to help ease that state's nursing shortage. Proposals under consideration include a move to allow nurses from neighboring Midwestern states to work in the area.
- see this story from the Belleville News Democrat