Illinois AFL-CIO Announces Endorsements for 2026 General Election
ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Illinois AFL-CIO today announced its endorsements for the November 2026 general election, backing candidates in federal, state, and judicial races across Illinois. The endorsements were recommended by delegates to the Committee on Political Education (COPE), representing more than 1,500 affiliated unions, and confirmed by the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board.
The announcement comes one month after the Executive Board voted unanimously to defer endorsements, citing widespread frustration among union affiliates with both the pace and process by which labor’s state legislative priorities were considered.
“As prices continue to rise across the country and the federal government targets our state and our rights on the job, Illinois’ elected leaders must act with urgency to deliver for workers,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. “Last month, we sent a message that lawmakers must address labor’s unfinished priorities in the upcoming veto, lame-duck, and spring sessions and that the legislative process itself has fallen short of what working people deserve. It is clear from recent conversations with state leadership that the message has been received, and that we can look forward to a more collaborative process in the months to come. Union members are now ready to get to work for our endorsed candidates.”
“The Illinois AFL-CIO is one of the most trusted messengers in the state on economic issues, and our endorsement must never be taken for granted,” said Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Pat Devaney. “As leaders, we hear loud and clear our members’ frustration with the pace of progress in key policy areas affecting working people. We believe our elected leaders now understand this urgency as well, and we look forward to partnering with our endorsed candidates to deliver real results for working families.”
To earn the federation’s endorsement, candidates must demonstrate a commitment to working families through their voting record, a submitted questionnaire, input from local labor unions and councils, and in-person interviews. Endorsed candidates benefit from the Illinois AFL-CIO’s political program, which connects union volunteers directly to the 1.7 million union household members across the state through canvassing, phone banking, and text banking. In addition to its field operations, the Illinois AFL-CIO supports endorsed candidates with mail and digital outreach to union households and provides affiliated unions with tools to reach their members through customized mail, text, and email programs.
Candidates endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO include:
