A bill that would allow legislative staff in Illinois to unionize has been approved in the Illinois House.

Plainfield Democratic State Representative Harry Benton was among the supporters of the bill. It was voted on last week during the fall veto session.

Benton says the process started when some legislative staffers had begun having discussions about unionizing.

House Bill 4148 has support from area Democratic state reps. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego, Barbara Hernandez of Aurora, and Matt Hanson of Montgomery who were also sponsors. Republicans Jed Davis of Newark and Brad Fritts of Dixon both voted against the bill. Republican Jeff Keicher of Sycamore voted present.

The bill now advances to the Illinois Senate where it has been assigned to a committee.