Labor Day 2025 Recap
Throughout the state of Illinois, Central Labor Councils held events to celebrate and honor Labor Day.
Labor Day is more than a holiday. It’s a reminder that generations of working people fought for every workplace protection, every step toward fair wages, and every safety standard we enjoy today. And it’s time to remember that those gains are never permanent unless we continue to defend them.
The current administration in Washington has made it clear that they do not stand with American workers. Donald Trump and his cronies are lining their pockets at the expense of working families. While they may try to lower the floor, Illinois is standing strong and building the ceiling higher.
Our democracy is better in a union. At a time when extremist politicians seem intent on dragging us backward, unions represent the best united front. We must protect and strengthen the progress we’ve made, including our previous victories on everything from workplace safety to civil rights.
Below are pictures from celebrations and rallies throughout the state. Thank you to those who put in the work to build the CLC events and thank you to everyone who participated. It’s better in a union!
Labor Day Photos & Media
Photos and media from Labor Day events throughout the state can be viewed here.
IDOL Labor Day Report
The Illinois Department of Labor highlights the hard work of the Department in implementing and enforcing many pro-worker and Labor supported initiatives. Their Labor Day Report can be viewed here.
UNITE HERE Local 1; Locked Out on Labor Day
Hotel workers and broader labor communities rallied in front of the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown at 506 W. Harrison to protest the hotel’s unfair lockout over Labor Day Weekend. While people celebrated around the state, we also fought for our workers and the right to a fair contract. As President Tim Drea stated, “If the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown thought they could lock out workers over Labor Day without having to answer to Illinois labor, they were wrong, The Illinois AFL-CIO and our 900,000 union members across the state will stand with workers of the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown for as long as it takes for them to win the fair union contract they deserve.”
