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AFSCME Corrections Update: March 2025

More action needed on assaults and drug exposures 

Assaults and exposure to potentially dangerous substances are still major problems throughout the Illinois prison system—and management is still failing to address these issues.

AFSCME Corrections Update: March 2025

AFSCME Corrections Update: Feb. 2025 (cloned)

 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 (cloned)

Powered by her union, this dental hygienist finds fulfillment in working in a prison

When Marci Smith started working part-time in Illinois prisons in 1997, the dental hygienist had a second job working in private practice. She says that she found the private practice work a little boring, whereas working in a prison brought new challenges every day.

Powered by her union, this dental hygienist finds fulfillment in working in a prison

Direct Care Update: Making our voices heard for fair pay!

The budget proposed by Gov. Pritzker last month includes a $0.50 per hour increase for DSP wages, but we know we deserve more!

Direct Care Update: Making our voices heard for fair pay!

AFSCME Recommendations: April 1 Elections

Our local elected officials directly influence our ability to bargain for better wages and working conditions. That’s why we need to get organized, stand united, and vote in the April 1 elections.

AFSCME Recommendations: April 1 Elections

State Employee Update: Feb. 28, 2025

Health Alliance insurance plan to cease operating at end of 2025

Earlier this week, Carle Health announced the discontinuation of its health plan offering, Health Alliance, at the end of the year with no forewarning and no real justification.

State Employee Update: Feb. 28, 2025

City of Chicago Bulletin: Feb. 27, 2025

Threat of layoffs looms

The Trump administration’s heedless slashing of federal funding that supports vital public services at the local level has been temporarily paused by the courts, but the administration appears to be pushing ahead with its planning to impose these cuts which c

City of Chicago Bulletin: Feb. 27, 2025

In public works, union contracts are key to staying safe

In public works, safety is always top of mind.

In public works, union contracts are key to staying safe

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