• Honoring those we have lost

    Honoring those we have lost

    April 28 marks the observance of Workers’ Memorial Day in the United States. This day honors fallen workers and serves as a reminder that the fight for safe workplaces must continue.

  • President Biden’s American Rescue Plan brings help to Illinois

    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.

  • The path forward: COVID-19 vaccines

    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.

  • Probation employees join AFSCME

    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.

  • Pritzker's budget plan provides path forward

    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.

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Growing the Library Workers Movement Webinar

A panel of library worker activists discuss strategies for effective worker and community advocacy, building library worker power to make a difference!
New! COVID vaccines offer a shot of hope

AFSCME members are helping bring the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel as they help out with the state and local vaccination program.
New! Retirees: Vote for John Tilden in the SERS trustee election

SERS Retirees: Watch for your ballot in the mail, mark your vote for JOHN TILDEN and return it right away. Ballots must be received by June 1st for your vote to be counted.
New! "AFSCME stands as one. Let’s vaccinate as one."

Randy Hellmann—a longtime Illinois AFSCME local union president, Council 31 executive board member and staff representative—died of COVID-19. His final wish was that his fellow union members get vaccinated.
New! 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!
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.
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.
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.
Students stand with EIU employees

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