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AFSCME and allies sue to block Musk’s Social Security power grab

AFSCME, along with the Alliance for Retired Americans and the American Federation of Teachers, filed a lawsuit on Friday to halt DOGE’s unprecedented, unlawful seizure of personal, confidential and sensitive data from the Social Security Administration.

AFSCME and allies sue to block Musk’s Social Security power grab

AFSCME Local Government Update: February 2025

Winter reminds us of the dedication of public works employees

With the snowfall and frigid temperatures Illinois has experienced this winter, it’s important to remember those who charge towards weather when their communities need them most: public works employees.

AFSCME Local Government Update: February 2025

AFSCME University Member Update: February 2025

22 States, including Illinois, sue to stop cuts to research grants

As part of billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to slash funding of public institutions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a major, catastrophic overhaul in its research grant

AFSCME University Member Update: February 2025

Proposed FY 26 budget plan holds the line on key public services

Gov. JB Pritzker introduced a balanced FY 26 budget proposal that averted major cutbacks, layoffs or closures. 

Proposed FY 26 budget plan holds the line on key public services

“Workers over billionaires”: Federal employees in Chicago protest Musk’s mass layoffs

Billionaire Elon Musk has painted a target on the backs of the federal employees, launching mass layoffs on Feb. 14 which affected tens of thousands of federal employees. But unionized federal employees are standing up and fighting back.  

“Workers over billionaires”: Federal employees in Chicago protest Musk’s mass layoffs

AFSCME Corrections Update: Feb. 2025

 Mail scanning program will pilot at two facilities soon

Over the past several years, as the use of drugs among the IDOC prison population has steadily increased, so have the negative consequences for employees—with many being overcome by the substances released into the air when ind

AFSCME Corrections Update: Feb. 2025

Chicago History Museum employees form union with AFSCME

Chicago History Museum employees are making history of their own: On Feb. 12, they announced they're forming their union with AFSCME Council 31.

Chicago History Museum employees form union with AFSCME

We care, we count: DSPs set to fight for another wage increase

AFSCME's direct care campaign has increased wages by 78% since 2017—but more remains to be done.

We care, we count: DSPs set to fight for another wage increase

We've seen this playbook before...and we defeated it

Amidst all the tumult of recent weeks regarding the inauguration of a new president of the United States, I realized that this month was also the 10th anniversary of another inauguration—the installation of Bruce Rauner as governor of Illinois. And I couldn’t help but fasten on the similarities of these two transitional moments.

We've seen this playbook before...and we defeated it

IDOC Southern Region Training Academy already making a difference

The Illinois Department of Corrections has entered into an agreement with John A. Logan College in Carterville to make the college its Southern Region Training Academy, which will accommodate an additional 100 trainees per cadet class. 

IDOC Southern Region Training Academy already making a difference

Keeping up the fight to fix Tier 2

AFSCME and our allies in the We Are One Illinois coalition are vowing to carry the fight for pension fairness forward into the spring legislative session, but it’s going to take the involvement of every AFSCME member to get it over the finish line.

Keeping up the fight to fix Tier 2

State Employee Update: February 2025

Threat of federal cuts to state budget looms large

The Trump administration created widespread confusion and chaos last week, launching an all-out effort to vastly reduce federal funding to state and local governments.

State Employee Update: February 2025

Volunteer member organizers grow our union stronger

Shaleah Blackshear has lived in Lake County most of her life. The people who work for the Lake County Health Department are her neighbors. They’re the friendly faces she sees at the grocery store. Some are longtime family friends. 

Volunteer member organizers grow our union stronger

AFSCME City of Chicago Update: February 2025

Threat of federal funding cuts causes chaos, confusion

On Jan. 27, the Trump administration issued a memo halting disbursement of all federal funding appropriated by Congress.

AFSCME City of Chicago Update: February 2025

Threat of federal funding cuts causes chaos, confusion

On Jan. 27, the Trump administration issued a memo halting disbursement of all federal funding appropriated by Congress.  The public sector was a particular target, with services like Medicaid brought to a screeching halt, payment portals for Head Start and other vital programs shut down, and the jobs of tens of thousands of public workers in jeopardy.

Threat of federal funding cuts causes chaos, confusion

Retiree Notes: Winter 2025

Concerns grow over nominee to lead Medicare and Medicaid

Donald Trump has nominated Mehmet Oz—more commonly known by his TV moniker “Dr.

Retiree Notes: Winter 2025

Landmark legislation ends unfair Social Security penalties for public employees

After year upon year of an intensive grassroots lobbying campaign, in the final days of 2024, the U.S.

Landmark legislation ends unfair Social Security penalties for public employees

AFSCME University Member Update: Winter 2025

At the bargaining table: Pushing for better pay and benefits

Our previous bulletin reported on the strong new contract agreements won by members of AFSCME Local 3236 at Illinois State University in Normal.

AFSCME University Member Update: Winter 2025

As fires devastate Los Angeles, AFSCME members continue to serve

The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have devastated parts of that city, destroying tens of thousands of homes, killing dozens of people, and upending countless lives. Yet as AFSCME members in Los Angeles have experienced unimaginable destruction, they continue to serve their communities, putting others first even while they face incredible personal losses.

As fires devastate Los Angeles, AFSCME members continue to serve

2025 Chicago budget avoids layoffs of city workers

Following a long and arduous process, the Chicago City Council passed a budget for 2025 on Dec. 16. The good news: The $17.3 billion budget contains no layoffs or furloughs of AFSCME members.

2025 Chicago budget avoids layoffs of city workers