Freeport City Workers' Future in Limbo Amid Stalled Negotiations

Freeport, IL - April 3, 2025

As the City of Freeport settles into its post-election phase, questions are mounting regarding the future of labor negotiations under Mayor Jodi Miller’s leadership. Despite winning her third term in office, Miller's administration, alongside City Manager Rob Boyer, has been under fire for its handling of union talks over the past three months. AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees), representing city workers, finds itself at a critical crossroads as negotiations continue to stall and tensions rise.

From the outset, it's been clear that Freeport’s city government has been more focused on playing politics than making real progress in labor negotiations. In recent months, the city's response to the union's demands for fair pay has been tepid at best. According to sources, Miller and Boyer have repeatedly punted on negotiations, dragging their feet despite clear signs that the workers are losing patience. This delay tactic, insiders say, has more to do with balancing political optics than addressing the city’s financial realities.

The problem, however, is not just about stalled talks. The primary concern lies in Freeport's financial limitations. City officials are well aware that they cannot afford to match the significant pay raises—around 25% over the next four years—that were recently granted to the police department. These raises, though necessary to address recruitment and retention issues within law enforcement, have placed a considerable strain on the city's already tight budget.

With Mayor Miller’s victory in the recent election, residents are now left wondering whether the status quo will continue, or if the administration will shift its priorities. Will Freeport continue down the path of financial uncertainty, pouring money into an already bloated budget without raising taxes or making necessary cuts elsewhere? Or, will the city break its rumored promises to workers, risking the very real possibility of a strike that could halt essential services and infrastructure repairs?

Residents of Freeport are asking tough questions. Miller ran on a campaign that focused on "continuing the progress" made during her previous terms, and her supporters echoed the desire for more of the same. But now, as the city faces the grim reality of funding pay raises that are unsustainable, the questions are becoming harder to ignore: How can Freeport continue to make strides in infrastructure if street crews are underpaid and overworked? How can the city tackle its crime problem without a full team of police dispatchers? How can Freeport attract new businesses and investment if it fails to take care of the workers who keep the city running?

Money is going to be tight for the next four years. Local taxpayers are already feeling the pinch, and increasing taxes to cover the cost of unsustainable pay raises would not only strain household budgets but could also dampen the very growth Mayor Miller has promised to sustain. Despite these financial challenges, Miller has told her constituents that she will continue to push forward with her vision, disregarding the fact that, in order to do so, she will need to either break promises or rely on measures that could trigger serious backlash.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. The union’s frustration has reached a tipping point, and the clock is ticking. With the looming threat of a possible strike, city workers are prepared to take action if their demands are not met. The question now is whether Mayor Miller and City Manager Rob Boyer will be able to bridge the gap between maintaining their political agenda and ensuring the city’s workers are adequately compensated.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Miller’s third term begins with bold promises that Freeport cannot afford, or whether the city will face the disruptive consequences of unresolved labor disputes. Either way, one thing is clear: the future of Freeport’s city workers and the stability of its services hang in the balance.