Mayor Rahm Emanuel remains undeterred after a federal appeals court on Monday rejected McCormick Place officials' request to keep state labor changes in effect while they appeal against them.
"Despite today's ruling, I will continue to work with state and local leaders from both parties to fight for a solution that ensures the competiveness and vitality of Chicago's convention industry," Emanuel said in a statement.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit denied a request to keep the show-floor changes in effect temporarily, but it granted a request for an expedited appeal process.
U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman ruled in March that many of the reforms are illegal because the Illinois Legislature went beyond the terms of union contracts in ordering them. The judge said the legislators' action overturned collective bargaining rights in violation of the National Labor Relations Act.
McCormick Place officials say the changes violated federal law. Emanuel has said changes need to be made to the convention center to keep it economically viable and stands by its potential.
"Chicago's convention industry is a major asset and economic engine for our city, creating 66,000 jobs, generating $251 million in state and local taxes and bringing in more than $8 billion in spending to Illinois annually," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
