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Apr. 15, 2021

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Apr. 15, 2021

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AFSCME member is Illinois Head Start 2021 Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to AFSCME Local 900B Chief Steward Jennifer Feeney who was selected as the 2021 Teacher of the Year for the Illinois Head Start Association!

AFSCME member is Illinois Head Start 2021 Teacher of the Year

Apr. 13, 2021

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Apr. 13, 2021

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On the Job: Brad Hardcastle, Telecommunicator

In 2020, Hardcastle and his fellow AFSCME Local 1960 members answered approximately 214,908 calls, including 99,979 emergency calls, while dispatching to 35 different police and fire departments in Champaign County.

On the Job: Brad Hardcastle, Telecommunicator

Apr. 07, 2021

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Apr. 07, 2021

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Local elections bring some good news

The majority of candidates endorsed by the AFSCME PEOPLE program won their races in the primary and general consolidated local elections, including two AFSCME members.

Local elections bring some good news

Apr. 01, 2021

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Apr. 01, 2021

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Students stand with EIU employees

Students at Eastern Illinois University are standing behind AFSCME Local 981 members fighting for a fair contract.

Students stand with EIU employees

Mar. 16, 2021

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Mar. 16, 2021

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Pro-union PRO Act would empower workers

In a win for the labor movement, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act on March 9. The PRO Act reforms labor laws to give power back to workers so they can freely organize unions.

Pro-union PRO Act would empower workers

Mar. 11, 2021

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Mar. 11, 2021

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President Biden’s American Rescue Plan brings help to Illinois

AFSCME played a key role in ensuring the allocation of nearly $700 billion in investment in public services, including $360 billion in flexible aid for struggling states, cities, counties and schools—including some $13 billion to Illinois.

President Biden’s American Rescue Plan brings help to Illinois

Mar. 01, 2021

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Mar. 01, 2021

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AFSCME’s Jack Matthews joins SERS Board of Trustees

AFSCME Local 1964 President Jack Matthews will join the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) Board of Trustees after being the only candidate who submitted sufficient signatures for election.

AFSCME’s Jack Matthews joins SERS Board of Trustees

Feb. 24, 2021

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Feb. 24, 2021

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AFSCME rebuffs Chicago Tribune's demand for concessions from state employees

In a Feb. 24 letter to the editor, Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch took on the Tribune's demand that Governor Pritzker "get tough" on AFSCME.

AFSCME rebuffs Chicago Tribune's demand for concessions from state employees

Feb. 24, 2021

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Feb. 24, 2021

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Probation employees join AFSCME

Despite all the challenges facing workers who want to join a union during the pandemic, the ranks of new AFSCME members are growing. On February 1, 164 employees of the 19th Circuit Chief Judge won certification of their union.

Probation employees join AFSCME

Feb. 18, 2021

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Feb. 18, 2021

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AFSCME Council 31 COVID Vaccination Forum

Get answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Watch this Feb. 4, 2021, virtual forum and Q&A with AFSCME staff and union members.

AFSCME Council 31 COVID Vaccination Forum

Feb. 17, 2021

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Feb. 17, 2021

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Pritzker's budget plan provides path forward

Governor Pritzker’s budget plan for the 2022 fiscal year appears to maintain vital services, continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic and meets the state’s pension obligations.

Pritzker's budget plan provides path forward

Feb. 08, 2021

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Feb. 08, 2021

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Karen Lewis, tireless fighter for justice

Statement of Roberta Lynch, AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director on the passing of former Chicago Teachers Union president, Karen Lewis.

Karen Lewis, tireless fighter for justice

Feb. 05, 2021

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Feb. 05, 2021

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2021 Illinois Consolidated Election

Illinois voters across the state selected representatives for city councils, mayors, school boards, park boards and other local elected officials during the Illinois Consolidated Election on Apr. 6.

2021 Illinois Consolidated Election

Jan. 26, 2021

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Jan. 26, 2021

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Supreme Court denies Janus

The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Jan. 25 that it won’t hear a bloc of cases that sought to financially kneecap unions for obeying the law.

Supreme Court denies Janus

Jan. 22, 2021

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Jan. 22, 2021

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VIDEO: Dr. Landon on the COVID vaccines

Dr. Emily Landon answers frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Landon, an infectious disease expert at the University of Chicago, appeared on an IDHS virtual town hall meeting.

VIDEO: Dr. Landon on the COVID vaccines

Jan. 22, 2021

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Jan. 22, 2021

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Judge rejects management objections to CGH union

Nearly 1,000 employees of CGH Medical Center in Sterling took a big step toward realizing their goal of forming a union with AFSCMCE this week when a state labor board administrative law judge rejected objections raised by CGH management.

Judge rejects management objections to CGH union

Jan. 14, 2021

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Jan. 14, 2021

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AFSCME efforts protect worker rights in criminal justice reform bill

Early drafts of criminal justice reform legislation threatened employee bargaining rights and legal protections, but member phone calls and staff lobbying efforts blocked the most harmful provisions.

AFSCME efforts protect worker rights in criminal justice reform bill

Jan. 06, 2021

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Jan. 06, 2021

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The path forward: COVID-19 vaccines

Getting vaccinated can prevent getting sick with COVID-19 and spreading the virus to your co-workers and loved ones.

The path forward: COVID-19 vaccines

Jan. 05, 2021

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Jan. 05, 2021

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Closing prisons isn't the answer to state finances

A budget shortfall of this magnitude can’t be fixed by cutting employee wages and hiring freezes, or by closing prisons.

Closing prisons isn't the answer to state finances

Dec. 15, 2020

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Dec. 15, 2020

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State employees shouldn't bear unfair share of revenue shortfall

Governor Pritzker announced a plan to address Illinois’ dire revenue shortfall. AFSCME disagrees that frontline state employees should be expected to sacrifice more. Read the full statement from Executive Director Roberta Lynch.

State employees shouldn't bear unfair share of revenue shortfall