By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – The AFSCME union said a majority of its members authorized a strike. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office said the strike vote is an attack on the state’s taxpayers.

AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said with an 80 percent turnout of eligible members, 81 percent approved authorizing a strike – the first AFSCME’s state history.

Rauner General Counsel Dennis Murashko said in a statement that the vote to authorize a strike “is an attack on our state’s hardworking taxpayers and all those who rely on critical services provided every day. It is a direct result of AFSCME leadership’s ongoing misinformation campaign about our proposal.”

State Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, said he heard concerns, similar to those from members that spoke Wednesday with Illinois News Network, that there were stickers that said “I voted yes” and other electioneering at polling places.

“I do have concerns that the union leadership are urging their people to vote yes, but at the same time they’re the ones overseeing the election,” Butler said.

Lynch said there were signs and stickers.

“We did not conduct it like a political election,” she said. “It was not a political election and signs were allowed, people talked with people.”

Rauner said he’d leave speculation if the process was legitimate to others but that the vote outcome is disappointing.

The union hasn’t had a full contract since the summer of 2015.