A federal judge tossed Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's lawsuit over union "fair share" fees on Tuesday, but said the three non-union workers involved with the suit can continue with their own case.

"He seeks to represent the non-member employees subject to the fair share provisions of the collective bargaining agreements," U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman said of Rauner in his Tuesday ruling. "He has no standing to do so. They must do it on their own."

Gettleman also said Rauner is not allowed to place fair share fees in an escrow account until the case is resolved.

"While disappointed that he will not be a party to that lawsuit, the governor supports the fair share employees who are now leading this effort and will continue to pursue his own claims in state court," a statement from the governor's office reads.

Rauner wants to block unions from taking in fair share fees from workers who opt out of joining a union, but benefit from the collective bargaining process. The governor, who believes fair share fees violate the First Amendment rights of workers who don't want to join a union, pushed the issue to the federal courts in hopes of seeing the U.S. Supreme Court "declare that these fair share provisions are unconstitutional."

In a statement, Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan said, "We're gratified that the court has rejected Gov. Rauner's latest ploy to weaken the unions that represent police officers, child protection workers, nurses and all who serve our state."

"This should be a strong signal to the governor that it's time he treats public service workers with respect," Carrigan added.