All Previous News

College of DuPage employees form union with AFSCME

Taking the next step in their union organizing campaign that kicked off in March, some 600 employees of the College of DuPage (COD) on July 8 filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board.

College of DuPage employees form union with AFSCME

Judge blocks administration’s efforts to bust federal employee unions

A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction this week after ruling that the White House likely violated the law by stripping nearly a million federal workers of their union rights. 

Judge blocks administration’s efforts to bust federal employee unions

Local 2452 - Fact vs. Fiction

Management has been saying a lot recently about our activity. Why? Because they know that our facility, like any facility, only runs if the frontline staff make it run. Predictably, Ignite is trying to mislead and confuse us because their primary interest is in making a profit.

Local 2452 - Fact vs. Fiction

Carrying the fight to fix Tier 2 forward

Despite a vigorous grassroots lobbying campaign and more than a year of good-faith engagement with lawmakers by the We Are One Illinois coalition of unions, the General Assembly failed to take action on Tier 2 in this legislative session as fears of sweeping cuts to Illinois’ federal funding drew concern from lawmakers.

Carrying the fight to fix Tier 2 forward

Lake County Health Department employees form union with AFSCME

They help keep Lake County’s 700,000 residents healthy and safe, and now some 600 employees of the Lake County Health Department have announced that they are forming their union with AFSCME Council 31 so they can achieve safety and security for themselves.

Lake County Health Department employees form union with AFSCME

SUCCESS! Legislature passes wage increase for direct care employees

We have some great news to share: As the result of our efforts, state lawmakers passed a wage increase of 80 cents per hour for direct care employees!

SUCCESS! Legislature passes wage increase for direct care employees

Champaign County employees vote overwhelmingly to strike if necessary

"Champaign County works because we do. And make no mistake, without us on the job, county services cannot function," AFSCME Local 900 President Cecilia Phillips said.

Champaign County employees vote overwhelmingly to strike if necessary

Field Museum workers win first union contract

Field Museum Workers United/AFSCME members overwhelmingly approved their first-ever union contract, with more than 94% voting “yes!” to ratify the four-year agreement.

Field Museum workers win first union contract

Court temporarily blocks unconstitutional reorganization of federal government

A federal judge has ordered a temporary pause on Trump administration’s attempts to fire swaths of workers and unilaterally reorganize the federal government.

Court temporarily blocks unconstitutional reorganization of federal government

City of Chicago Bulletin: May 2025

Threat to Chicago’s federal funding remains high

The billionaires and anti-union extremists in the White House and Congress are continuing their push for dramatic cuts to the federal funding that the city of Chicago relies on to continue providing public services.

City of Chicago Bulletin: May 2025

Chicago Public Library workers sound the alarm about unsafe working conditions

Libraries should be safe spaces for all. But members of AFSCME Local 1215 who work for the Chicago Public Library say frightening and unsafe conditions have been on the rise in recent years—and management isn’t doing enough to keep workers and patrons safe.

Chicago Public Library workers sound the alarm about unsafe working conditions

Court stops Trump administration effort to gut Institute of Museum and Library Services

A federal court granted a temporary restraining on May 1 blocking the Trump administration from gutting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) after AFSCME and the American Library Association (ALA) filed a joint lawsuit. 

Court stops Trump administration effort to gut Institute of Museum and Library Services

Mississippi Valley Library District workers form union with AFSCME

In the Mississippi Valley Library District, workers at the Fairmont City and Collinsville libraries have a simple mission: to keep libraries safe, open, and welcoming to all members of the community, no matter who they are. 

Mississippi Valley Library District workers form union with AFSCME

Medicaid cuts could hit us all

Deep cuts to Medicaid being pushed by President Donald Trump’s administration and Republicans in Congress could do real damage to public services and to the jobs of AFSCME members in Illinois.

Medicaid cuts could hit us all

State Employee Update: May 2025

Big cuts coming at us

It’s taken only a few months for Elon Musk and his DOGE team to wreak havoc in the federal government—with tens of thousands of employees being summarily fired, some agencies altogether dismantled, and many more nearly crippled.

State Employee Update: May 2025

Make your voice heard during the Fix Tier 2 Week of Action: April 29-May 1

From April 29 - May 1, AFSCME and We Are One are holding a week of action, including sending calls and emails into legislators’ offices to let them know they must fix Tier 2 before the session is over.

Make your voice heard during the Fix Tier 2 Week of Action: April 29-May 1

College of DuPage staff launches union campaign with AFSCME

Seeking fair compensation and a stronger voice on the job, some 600 employees of the College of DuPage (COD) announced on April 23 that they are forming their union with AFSCME Council 31.

College of DuPage staff launches union campaign with AFSCME

AFSCME’s fight to protect our Social Security data from Elon Musk posts another win

Our union’s fight to protect our personal, sensitive Social Security data from falling into Elon Musk’s hands notched a significant victory last week.

AFSCME’s fight to protect our Social Security data from Elon Musk posts another win

Musk wants to compel seniors to come to X for Social Security information

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is moving all of its public communications off its website and onto the social media site owned by billionaire and DOGE leader Elon Musk, according to reporting from Wired.

Musk wants to compel seniors to come to X for Social Security information

Direct Care Update: Let's stand together for fair pay!

Save the Date: Direct Care Lobby Day is on April 30! Join direct care employees from across the state to lobby lawmakers for a fair wage increase at the state Capitol!

Direct Care Update: Let's stand together for fair pay!