• Child tax credits arrive

    Child tax credits arrive

    Last week AFSCME members got a big boost in their “mailboxes”—the largest-ever tax cut for working families in American history is the newly expanded child tax credit, part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

  • Big win for Niles public library

    Big win for Niles public library

    One day after a rally when more than 150 AFSCME members and their supporters spoke out against threatened cuts to library staff, services and hours, the Niles-Maine library board approved a budget plan that avoids the worst of the cuts.

  • Illinois budget—outlook good!

    Illinois budget—outlook good!

    Illinois' credit rating has been upgraded for the first time in more than 20 years.

  • 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.

  • Progress on the Legislative Front!

    Progress on the Legislative Front!

    In an unprecedented “virtual” legislative session, AFSCME Council 31 succeeded in positively impacting the state budget and helping pass a number of bills of importance to union members—and block passage of a number that would be harmful.

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New! AFSCME members protest proposed sale of city water service

AFSCME Local 988 members sounded the alarm about a private corporation pushing to take over the city's water service with a robust informational picket: “I don’t think something like water should be used for profit."
New! Tentative agreement reached with Cook County

We did it! On June 23, the AFSCME bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement on a new union contract for some 4,000 members in Cook County government.
New! Niles-Maine library employees form union with AFSCME

U.S. Rep. Schakowsky, other leaders sign letter backing workers, opposing library board’s threatened cuts.

Fair pay progress for frontline heroes

After an intensive grassroots lobbying campaign by AFSCME members during the remote legislative session, lawmakers provided funding for a $1.50 wage increase in the state budget for frontline workers at state-funded community disability agencies.
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!
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.
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.
"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.
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.