The IL AFL-CIO Update: Your Illinois Labor Digest | | |
Dear friends:
The General Assembly adjourned in the early hours of June 1 without passing a number of labor’s priorities, most prominently fixing Tier 2 pensions or addressing the transit fiscal cliff. Despite tireless advocacy from the We are One Illinois Coalition and the Labor Alliance for Public Transit, the General Assembly failed to act on both of labor’s negotiated proposals.
Our efforts on both issues sought not only to better the lives and security of union members, but also to improve services across our state that every person relies on. The failure of the General Assembly to find solutions to our state's biggest problems fails not only union members, but everyone across Illinois who relies on our roads, trains, schools, fire departments, and other essential services.
While threats by the Trump administration to cut federal funds for our state are concerning, it is no excuse for inaction. If anything, attacks on our state from Washington, D.C. make it more urgent for our leaders here in Illinois to showcase the benefits to our communities that come from government putting the lives of working families above the demands of corporations.
While we are disappointed by the failure of the General Assembly to act on these urgent issues, we recognize the fight continues. The dates for the fall Veto Session have not been released, and there is discussion of a possible special session this summer depending on the impact of the federal budget.
As we continue to advocate on these issues, we want to recognize the hard work of all of the labor unions involved in both the Labor Alliance for Public Transit and We Are One Illinois coalitions.
Additionally, these efforts showcased the solidarity of the labor movement. The Labor Alliance for Public Transit was supported by union members from Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA, UNITE HERE, Workers United, Painters District Council 14, Chicago Federation of Musicians, SEIU HCII, among many other unions, and we thank them for their advocacy as well.
Together, we must continue to fight to ensure that the General Assembly puts workers and communities over corporations.
In solidarity,
Tim Drea and Pat Devaney
| | Spring 2025 Legislative Report | | Where We Stand On Tier 2 Pensions | | |
Despite a vigorous grassroots lobbying campaign and more than a year of good-faith engagement with lawmakers, Governor JB Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, Speaker Chris Welch, and the General Assembly failed to take action on Tier 2 in this legislative session. Not even a committee vote was granted on our proposal. Such inaction is inexcusable.
Since introducing the Fair Retirement and Recruitment Act last November – and our negotiated proposal, SB 1937, more recently – the Illinois AFL-CIO and We Are One Illinois coalition worked tirelessly to develop a responsible, comprehensive solution to Tier 2 inequities. We responded to the concerns of the governor’s office and legislative leaders and participated in dozens of hearings, working groups, and direct negotiations.
Union members all across this state also made their voices heard, sending over 100,000 emails, making tens of thousands of phone calls, submitting thousands of witness slips, and having countless conversations with legislators in support of our proposals.
The Tier 2 crisis continues to grow. Every day, public employees leave their professions and our state because they can’t count on a secure retirement. The longer we delay fixing this, the more damaging and costly it will become. The potential for steep cuts in federal funds to our state is no excuse for inaction. If anything, attacks on our state from Washington, D.C., make it more urgent for our leaders to stand up for working families.
This fight is far from over, and we will continue to advocate for our latest proposal, SB 1937 House Amendment 2.
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Labor Alliance for Public Transit Continues to Fight for Transit Reform and Revenue
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The Illinois House's failure to pass a comprehensive transportation bill to avert a fiscal cliff jeopardizes Illinois transit systems with expected cuts, massive lay-offs, and service disruptions for the Chicago Transit Authority, Pace, and Metra. As the General Assembly adjourned with neither reform or revenue, transit riders and workers alike are left concerned about the future of our communities.
From day one, the Labor Alliance for Public Transportation aimed to improve the state's public transit infrastructure by prioritizing rider and worker safety, improving service coordination, and reforming the governing boards of the RTA agencies. We appreciate the Illinois State Senate's work to pass a comprehensive package that would have secured integral reforms and funding.
We are grateful for the efforts of State Senator Ram Villivalam, Leader Eva-Dina Delgado, Leader Marcus C. Evans, Jr., Leader Kam Buckner, State Representative Marty Moylan, and all the elected officials who worked tirelessly to negotiate a solution.
While the legislation failed to pass both chambers, our work is far from over. We will continue to fight for the public transportation system that all Illinoisans deserve. Wherever you are in Illinois, everyone deserves an innovative, forward-thinking transportation network that is funded well into the future.
The Labor Alliance for Public Transportation will continue to engage with stakeholders across the state to underscore the importance of solving Illinois' transit fiscal cliff, drive meaningful change, and ensure that Illinois' transit systems are equipped to meet the growing demands of the future.
| | Honoring U.S. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky | | |
The Illinois AFL-CIO released the following statement on the retirement of Rep. Jan Schakowsky in May:
The daughter of immigrant parents, Jan Schakowsky is the product of America's promise. After obtaining a degree in elementary education from the University of Illinois, she dedicated her life to helping others, first as the program director for Illinois Public Action, and then as the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens Executive Director. Recognizing that she could do more, Jan stepped up, ran for public office, and won. And she kept winning.
A lifelong union member who organized and fought for consumer, senior, and labor rights, Jan was elected to the Illinois General Assembly and then to Congress. Throughout her career in public service, Jan never once abandoned working families, as her nearly 100 percent labor voting record over 35 years in office proves.
We owe her our gratitude, and while all working people in Illinois will miss her fearless advocacy in Congress, we bid Jan and her family a wonderful retirement.
| | Rep. Schakowsky and IL AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney, and board members in 2024 | | Congratulations to Southern IL CLC | | New Officers will be Sworn in June 12 | | |
A special election was called and nominations were taken for new officers at the May 8, 2025 Southern IL CLC meeting. This resulted in 9 of the 11 offices being elected by acclamation. Nominations will be accepted at the June 12, 2025 meeting for the remaining 2 Trustee positions. Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea will be present to seat the newly elected officers with their oath of office.
We encourage all in the region to affiliate, appoint delegates and participate in the Southern Illinois CLC proceedings as we work to build solidarity and programs in Southern Illinois.
| | IL AFL-CIO President Tim Drea, AFFI President Chuck Sullivan and Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney attended the Firefighters Memorial in Springfield to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. | Tiffany Rebb, ATU 241 and John Brockman, ATU Local 308, joined NBC Chicago to discuss the Labor Alliance for Public Transportation's initiatives in Springfield. | | At its core, the labor movement is about giving back and lifting others up. Iron Worker Paul Goodrich visited St. Leonard School in Berwyn to talk to the next generation of tradespeople about why it's better in a union. | Congratulations to the 2025 Polk School graduates! This year, the 37 member cohort, attended a four-day intensive focusing on the skills needed to develop future labor leaders and prepare them to meet the moment in labor history. | | SEIU Healthcare was in Springfield fighting for a rate increase for the Community Care Program. Homecare workers are there for us when we need the most -- they deserve a living wage. | Illinois AFL-CIO testified in support of the Workers Rights and Worker Safety Act to ensure that Illinois keeps the long-established worker protections under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Federal OSHA, and Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. The legislation will require IDOL to adopt a rule if the federal government repeals, revokes, modified, or re-interprets a federal standard under these three acts using the standard prior to April 28, 2025, as the floor. The bill passed the House and Senate, and now goes to the Governor. | | | | |
