Governor JB Pritzker took a series of pro-worker actions, which was highlighted by reinstating a long-postponed, experience-based salary increase for state workers, represented by the American Federal of State, County and Municipal Employees.  Restoration of the so-called step increases is good news in itself, not only to the 20,000 employees affected, but also to advocate and to taxpayers.  Step increases are paid to employees in their 1^st 8 to 10 years, who start at below market rates as an incentive, in order to gain experience and stick around Illinois.  Rauner halted the increases back in 2015, when AFSCME last had their contract expire.  Pritzker persuaded lawmakers to change state law, in order to allow 15-percent pay increases to cabinet members and to assistant agency directors, arguing that he needed to dangle higher salaries to compete for top talent.  The billionaire governor-elect created a corporation, by using his own money, to double the pay of his top staff members.  Pritzker also declared negotiations would resume immediately, although there is no set date.