Illinois AFL-CIO Issues Political Endorsements for 2026 Primary Election

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Countryside — Today, the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed candidates for the March 2026 primary election, following the recommendations of more than 100 delegates from across the state at the Committee on Political Education (COPE) meeting in Countryside. Endorsements were confirmed by the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board, and include candidates for statewide office, U.S. House, state legislature and judicial races.

“Illinois needs to remain a pro-labor bastion in the Midwest and ensure we are electing pro-labor candidates to protect middle-class wages, affordable health care, secure retirement and safety on the job,” stated Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “The Illinois AFL-CIO endorsement is one of the most coveted in state politics, and not something that union members take lightly. Our members are mobilized and fired up to ensure every voter understands it’s better in a union this election cycle.”

Endorsed candidates will receive the support of the Illinois AFL-CIO political program. Through canvassing, phone-banking, text-banking, and other direct voter contact, union volunteers communicate with 1.7 million union household members statewide about the issues that shape their lives and livelihoods. This robust mobilization paired with targeted mail and digital outreach to union households ensures that working families hear directly from those they trust most to talk about kitchen table economic issues. The Illinois AFL-CIO also equips affiliated unions with customized tools to reach their own members through tailored mail, text, email and more.

“Every year, the Illinois labor movement secures critical wins for working families,” said Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “However, these gains are fragile and can disappear with the stroke of a pen, and our members are ready to do whatever it takes to protect their hard-earned union rights. We’re looking forward to working with the candidates who understand the real difference unions make in our member’s lives and who are committed to building on our victories from Washington to Springfield.”

To earn an endorsement, candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to working families through their voting record and/or a completed candidate questionnaire. COPE delegates reflect the diversity of our state, representing workers from Chicago to Cairo and from public sector unions to building trades to manufacturing and hospitality.

The following candidates were endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO:

Illinois AFL-CIO and Chicago Federation of Labor Host U.S. Senate Forum for Union Members

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Union families hear from leading Democratic candidates on labor rights, the future of unions, and working families’ priorities

Chicago, IL – Last night, the Illinois AFL-CIO and the Chicago Federation of Labor hosted a Democratic U.S. Senate Forum at IBEW Local 134 in Chicago. Exclusively for union members and their families, the event featured the top three Democratic candidates – Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton – in a discussion focused on labor rights, the future of unions, and their plans to address the most pressing challenges facing Illinois’ working families.

“Public support for unions is stronger than it’s been in decades — but every day, working people are under attack from a radical, anti-worker agenda,” said Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines while corporate interests and their billionaire political allies try to break our movement. Union members need to understand exactly what’s at stake and stand shoulder to shoulder as we elect our next U.S. Senator. Yesterday’s forum wasn’t just about hearing from candidates — it was a call to action for union members to learn what’s at stake, organize and vote if we want to protect our rights, and our future.”

The forum was moderated by Jennifer Rodriguez, National AFL-CIO Political and Field Mobilization Director. Candidates discussed a range of topics, including the growing influence of Big Tech in the Democratic Party, affordable housing, healthcare access, and the need for clear regulations and guardrails against Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“Every day, we hear from union members in Chicago who are struggling to pay rent, afford groceries, and fear going to work because they may be unlawfully detained by ICE,” said Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor. “Chicago needs a strong leader in the Senate who will stand up for the rights of all working people and confront these challenges head-on to build a stronger, union-friendly America. We are a proud union town — and it’s up to us to lead the way. Workers want a better future for their families, and labor can set the tone this election cycle by sending an unapologetically pro-labor U.S. Senator to Washington.”

In December, the Illinois AFL-CIO will endorse candidates for the 2026 election, following the recommendations of delegates from across the state at the Committee on Political Education (COPE). Endorsed candidates must demonstrate their commitment to working families through their voting record and/or a submitted questionnaire.

Through its statewide political program, the Illinois AFL-CIO will mobilize union volunteers to canvass, phone-bank, and text-bank the state’s 1.7 million people in union households – ensuring direct, personal outreach from trusted messengers on the issues that matter most to working people.

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Democratic Senate Candidate Forum

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2024 General Election Endorsements

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