SPRINGFIELD — The 40,000 Illinois state employees represented by AFSCME have a new contract after members, by an “overwhelming majority,” ratified a new four-year contract that will increase workers’ pay by nearly 12 percent.

Voting on the contract proposal was conducted between June 12 and Friday at more than 400 worksite meetings statewide.

The union hasn’t had a contract with the state since June 30, 2015. The agreement will be in effect until June 30, 2023.

Officials with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees did not reveal exact vote totals but said it was approved by an “overwhelming majority.”

“The big margin reflects how ready state workers are for the return of sanity and responsible governance in the wake of (former Gov.) Bruce Rauner’s relentless attacks,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said in a statement issued Saturday morning. “Public service workers in state government clearly believe this contract is fair for all.”

The deal does not provide an immediate pay raise. Instead, union members will get a stipend of $625 for each of the last four years they were a state employee.

The first general raise of 1.5 percent will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Another 2.1 percent will go into effect July 1, 2020. On July 1, 2021 another 3.95 percent raise will take effect. A final increase of 3.95 percent happens July 1, 2022.

Compounded, the raises amount to 11.98 percent over the life of the contract. State workers have received no general raises since July 2014.

Employee health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs will increase. Although specific totals will vary depending on the employee’s health plan and salary, premiums will go up each January by a composite $13 per month for individuals and $18 per month for families. It is the first increase in premiums or out of pocket health costs in four years.