Media inquiries: please e-mail Communications Director Alyssa Goodstein at [email protected].

Press Releases

July Newsletter – A union made 4th of July

Dear friends: The Fourth of July is around the corner-- a day for celebrating our independence, freedom and reflecting on our nation's values of democracy and equality. We are also wrapping up Pride month at a time when many LGBTQ+ workers…
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 Southern Illinois Central Labor Council Swears in New Officers and Begins Operations for First Time Since 2020

West Frankfort, IL - Last Thursday, the Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea swore in 10 newly elected officers to the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council (SICLC). The SICLC has not had officers elected since the Spring of 2020. Over the…
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June Newsletter – Summer heats up as the Illinois General Assembly adjourns

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…
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Illinois AFL-CIO Statement on Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s Retirement

"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…
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April Newsletter – Honoring the workers who have lost their lives on the job

Dear friends: Today is Workers’ Memorial Day.  Each year, more than 5,000 workers die from job injuries and 135,000 more from occupational diseases. That’s nearly 340 workers every single day. Across Illinois today, working families…
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Illinois AFL-CIO Statement on Senator Dick Durbin’s Retirement

Springfield - Today, the Illinois AFL-CIO released the following statement from President Tim Drea in response to Senator Durbin's announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2026: "Throughout his more than 40 years of public service,…
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March Newsletter – Fighting like hell for Illinois’ working families

Dear friends: We have heard from many of you trying to comprehend the news at the federal level and its impact on everyday, Illinois working people. In Springfield, we are working diligently to pass pro-worker legislation and build power…
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Illinois AFL-CIO Honors U.S. Congress, General Assembly Members At Labor Salutes Award Ceremony

[Springfield] -- The Illinois AFL-CIO honored three Illinois General Assembly members for their outstanding contributions to working Illinoisans at the organization’s annual “Labor Salutes” awards ceremony. “lllinois is lucky to have…
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February Newsletter – The future of the labor movement is in our hands

Dear friends: Working people are under attack nationwide, and Illinois is not immune from the Trump administration's harmful actions. In the past few weeks, we’ve witnessed an all-out assault on government workers and critical resources…
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