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Shedd Aquarium workers forming union with AFSCME

John G. Shedd Aquarium employees announced on April 18 they are forming their union, Shedd Workers United, with AFSCME Council 31.

Shedd Aquarium workers forming union with AFSCME

AFSCME-backed bill would put brakes on selling, closing public nursing homes

State legislation supported by AFSCME Council 31 would give county residents a stronger voice on questions of sales or closures of nursing homes. HB 5537 would also require counties to be more transparent about the negative effects those sales or closures could have on the community.

AFSCME-backed bill would put brakes on selling, closing public nursing homes

AFSCME member returns resident’s priceless heirloom

David Block has always had an eagle eye. His coworkers in the city of DeKalb Public Works Department joke that he could spot a penny on the side of the highway at 80 mph.

AFSCME member returns resident’s priceless heirloom

Three AFSCME members secure seats on state pension board

AFSCME has always sought to strengthen Illinois’ public pension funds by working to elect union members who will serve as a strong voice for frontline employees on pension fund boards.

Three AFSCME members secure seats on state pension board

Fair Tier 2: The path forward

Looking for answers to your Tier 2 questions?

Fair Tier 2: The path forward

Tier 2: Your questions answered

Q: Which Illinois public sector pension funds have two tiers of benefits?

A: All of them! SERS, SURS, TRS, IMRF, Cook County, City of Chicago (actually has three), and all police and firefighter funds.

Tier 2: Your questions answered

2024 Primary Election Results for AFSCME-recommended candidates

AFSCME-recommended candidates won up and down the ballot in the March 19 primary elections. Overall, 80% of our endorsed candidates prevailed.  See the full results below.

Note: AFSCME does not typically endorse in uncontested races.

2024 Primary Election Results for AFSCME-recommended candidates

Pritzker's recommended 2025 budget in summary

Pritzker’s recommended 2025 budget in summary

Pritzker's recommended 2025 budget in summary

AFSCME raises serious concerns, questions about plan for Stateville, Logan prisons

Our union was only notified late on Thursday, March 14, of the Department of Corrections plan to demolish Stateville and Logan prisons and build new facilities in their place.

AFSCME raises serious concerns, questions about plan for Stateville, Logan prisons

Retiree Notes: Fighting back against Social Security cuts

Fighting back against Social Security cuts

Former President Donald Trump recently suggested that, if elected, his administration will make cuts to Social Security, Medicare and other federal programs that seniors rely on. 

Retiree Notes: Fighting back against Social Security cuts

Museum of Contemporary Art employees form union with AFSCME

The wave of union organizing among Chicago cultural workers just keeps rolling: 32 employees of the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago released a letter on Feb.

Museum of Contemporary Art employees form union with AFSCME

Capital improvements lag in IDOC

Illinois Department of Corrections leaders are sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for much-needed building repairs and improvements to state correctional facilities, but AFSCME members who work in IDOC say that money isn't translating into action quickly enough.

Capital improvements lag in IDOC

Local 1019 member’s startling discovery spurs new research

Dr. Meredith Mahoney, a zoologist at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield and a steward for AFSCME Local 1019, has made a surprising discovery which became a launchpad for significant research into an invasive insect. 

Local 1019 member’s startling discovery spurs new research

Pay increases follow victory over privatization

The members of AFSCME Local 3537 at the DeKalb County Nursing Home fought a multi-year fight against the privatization of their beloved public nursing home, finally prevailing last fall.

Pay increases follow victory over privatization

Meet one of AFSCME's youngest members

He may be young, but Clayten White has already found a fulfilling career where he can grow and advance.

Meet one of AFSCME's youngest members

Celebrating Black History Month

In February we celebrate Black History Month, and AFSCME’s long legacy of standing up for racial justice—from the strike of Memphis sanitation workers 56 years ago this month, to affirming that Black Lives Matter today.

Celebrating Black History Month

AFSCME Recommendations: 2024 Primary Elections

Our votes can make a difference. Vote for the candidates who will stand with AFSCME members on the issues important to us.

AFSCME Recommendations: 2024 Primary Elections

We're on call for our communities—and our union

When winter storm warnings start blasting out from every cell phone, TV, and radio in the vicinity, many folks start thinking about how they can hunker down or what precautionary measures they need to take. 

We're on call for our communities—and our union

Retiree Notes: Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Photo: Members of Sub-chapter 55 donated to the Shawneetown Public Library, a public service near and dear to their chapter.

Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board

Retiree Notes: Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board

911 SAVES Act would honor dispatchers, give access to additional resources

911 dispatchers help keep us safe every day. They deserve more recognition and respect for the difficult jobs they do.

911 SAVES Act would honor dispatchers, give access to additional resources