According to the Springfield Journal-Register, a spokesman for the state’s largest employee union has informed them the results on whether members of the largest state employee union will authorize a strike will be released later this week.

Sunday marked the final day of the three-week voting period for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members to weigh in on whether the union’s bargaining committee should call a strike.

Anders Lindall, spokesman for AFSCME Council 31, told the Journal-Register Monday “thousands upon thousands” of members have voted at more than 700 locations throughout the state and the secured ballot boxes will be opened and tabulated later this week at a central location.

While the vote does not mean a strike will occur, Lindall said, the outcome would send a strong message to the bargaining committee.

According to the Journal-Register, AFSCME represents 38,000 state workers. Of those, roughly 28,000 can strike while the others work security jobs and are forbidden from striking.

Last fall, the Illinois Labor Relations Board agreed talks between the governor and union were at an impasse, which opened the door for the administration to impose its last, best and final offer on the union.

The union has challenged the implementation of a new labor contract in court.