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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