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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 last year, SICLC has held leadership meetings to rebuild the CLC to better advocate for union members and working families in Southern Illinois.

In the last six months, the SICLC has increased their affiliation from 3 International Unions (IU) and 5 Local Unions to 15 International Unions and 52 Local Unions. On May 8, 2025, the delegates held nominations for the officer positions and all officers were elected by acclamation.

The election of new officers provides renewed opportunity for the SICLC to explore new ideas with a focus on growing community participation, increased membership, and greater advocacy on working class issues.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to once again be elected President of the 28,000 union members affiliated with the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council,” stated newly elected SICLC President Jason Woolard. “With support from our members, all the newly elected officers of the SICLC are prepared to work in collaboration on behalf of the labor movement here in Southern Illinois. We look forward to helping unions succeed and grow in our jurisdiction, and we will always be a uniting voice for all workers and their families who wish to organize throughout the region.”

“I congratulate President Woolard and the new officers of the Southern Illinois Central Labor Council for the hard work they’ve put in to rebuild their labor council,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea. “I look forward to seeing what this new chapter for the SICLC will be able to accomplish for working families in Southern Illinois.”

The newly elected officers are as follows:

President 

Jason Woolard, IBEW 702

Executive Vice President 

John Day, AFSCME 1048

Secretary Treasurer 

Wesley Tartt, UFCW 881

Recording Secretary 

Debra Horn, USW 15009

Vice President (3) 

Adam Robertson, Carpenters 662

Jason Culbreth, Iron Workers 782

Clint Walker, UA 551

Trustees (4) 

Jason McNeill, UMWA 2463

Ona Rivera Winfield, AFSCME 141

Charles Sine, LIUNA 773

Workers’ Memorial Day Recap – Protect Worker Safety, Pass SB1976

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This past Monday, throughout the state of Illinois, Central Labor Councils honored workers who have lost their lives on the jobsite.  

Workers’ Memorial Day commemorates the effective date of OSHA, which promised every worker the right to a safe job. But our hard-earned workplace safety rights are in danger, as elected leaders threaten to cut staff, defund or outright eliminate federal job safety agencies. In the face of federal uncertainty, Illinois must be proactive and guarantee that Illinois workers will have the same protections this time next year regardless of any federal rollbacks. 

The Illinois AFL-CIO worked with Senator Robert Peters to introduce SB 1976. This bill will create the Workers’ Rights and Safety Act which will preserve the long-established workplace protections under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. This Workers Memorial Day, we highlighted the need for this legislation to pass to protect workers in Illinois. 

TAKE ACTION: e-mail your state representatives and demand they support SB1976 here. 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM CENTRAL LABOR COUNCILS STATEWIDE 

Springfield & Cental Illinois Trades & Labor Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO – President Nick Yelverton and President Tim Drea 

Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO hosted a ceremony at 10:00 AM at the Illinois AFL-CIO front plaza. Treasurer Michael Frerichs was the honorable guest speaker. 

Alton-Greater Madison County Federation of Labor – President Dean Webb 

The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor held a ceremony at 7:00 PM at Gordon Moore Park. Representative Katie Stuart and a representative from Congresswomen Nikki Budzinski’s office offered remarks.  

Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly – President Jason Pascal 

Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly hosted a ceremony at 6:00 AM on Monday morning.  

Champaign County AFL-CIO – President Matt Kelly 

Champaign County AFL-CIO held a ceremony at 5:00 Pm on Monday in Dodds Park. Senator Paul Faraci and a representative from Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski offer remarks at the event. 

Chicago Federation of Labor 

Chicago Federation of Labor and Chicago Jobs with Justice held their ceremony at 7:00 AM on Monday at the Union Stockyard Gates.  

Vermillion County Federation of Labor 

Vermillion County Federation of Labor held a ceremony at 9:00 AM on Monday morning in Danville Illinois. State Senator Paul Faraci and State Representative Brandun Schweizer spoke at the event. Vermillion honored Dale Cooper who was murdered 55 years ago on the jobsite.  

Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly 

Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly held a ceremony at 5:30 PM at the Macon County Courthouse lawn. Jason Keller from the Illinois Department of Labor offered remarks. 

 Galesburg Trades & Labor 

Galesburg Trades & Labor held a ceremony at 5:30 PM. Senator Mike Halpin and Brian Bothast from OSHA offered remarks during the event. 

West Central Illinois Labor Council – President Chase Carlton 

West Central Illinois Labor Council held a ceremony at 6:00 PM on Monday at the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall in Peoria.  

Quad-Cities Local Labor  

USW Local 105, IBEW 1379, and ARCONIC Davenport Works leadership held a ceremony at USW Local 105 Hall on Monday 12:00 PM.  

Rockford United Labor – President Sara Dorner 

Rockford United Labor held a ceremony at the Workers Memorial site at the Zeke Girogi Building. Mayor Tom McNamara, Representative Maurice West, and Senator Steve Stadelman spoke at the event.