• Historic union wins at Art Institute of Chicago

    Historic union wins at Art Institute of Chicago

    Staff at the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago voted overwhelmingly to form their union—the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United—with AFSCME Council 31 in mail-ballot elections tallied January 11 and 12.

  • VIDEO: AFSCME Council 31 On the Front Lines

    VIDEO: AFSCME Council 31 On the Front Lines

    AFSCME members have been on the front lines of this pandemic since Day One and we’re still going strong. Don’t miss this video that premiered at the Council 31 convention on October 16.

  • Museum, school employees file for historic union election at Art Institute of Chicago

    Museum, school employees file for historic union election at Art Institute of Chicago

    Employees of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC, the museum) and the School of the Art Institute (SAIC, the college) took another big step toward forming their union when they filed representation petitions with the National Labor Relations Board.

  • 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.

  • Art Institute of Chicago workers join AFSCME

    Art Institute of Chicago workers join AFSCME

    More than 300 employees of the Art Institute of Chicago are forming a union, the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United (AICWU), with AFSCME. The announcement came Aug. 3 in a public letter signed by 60 employees.

Stay Informed
Executive Director Reports Become a Member On the Move - PDF archives
Join AFSCME

Get Mobile Updates

Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary. Expect 4 msgs/mo. Terms and Conditions

  • Call Your Legislature
  • State Job Listings
  • Upward Mobility
  • AFSCME Scholarships
New! Mourning a hero: AFSCME statement on DCFS employee Deidre Silas

"We are heartbroken at the loss of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) investigator and AFSCME member Deidre Silas of Springfield, murdered Tuesday while responding to a report of children in danger."
New! State Vaccine Mandate Interest Arbitration—Ruling and Dissent

On December 29 Arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled against AFSCME members in the interest arbitration regarding the State’s plan to require COVID vaccinations for employees in IDOC and IDJJ.
New! Multiple ways to get COVID vaccine, booster, and testing through holiday season

Positive cases of COVID-19 are surging in Illinois at a time when family and friends gather for the holidays. IDPH is offering opportunities for residents to get tested, vaccinated or boosted in their communities.
New! Recent wins at the bargaining table

We're stronger when we unite together to make our voices heard. These local unions worked together to negotiate fair contracts with their employers.
New! VIDEO: We're voting yes! AICWU union election underway

Members of the Art Institute of Chicago Workers United (AICWU) are seeking the union difference with AFSCME. Their union vote is now underway, with mail-in ballots due in early January. This inspiring video captures the spirit of their organizing drive.
New! EIU workers win contract battle

AFSCME Local 981 members at Eastern Illinois University fought long and hard to win a new union contract that protects their jobs and increases their wages.

New! Solidarity blocks privatization in Rock Island

A yearlong fight to save Rock Island’s public water service ended in victory for the public works employees of AFSCME Local 988 when the city in September announced it would drop plans to privatize.
New! State pension funds benefit from big returns

State pension funds for teachers, state employees and university employees are healthier than they’ve been in years, thanks to big investment returns.
New! LaSalle Co. health dept. joins AFSCME

“They desperately needed representation and a seat at the table.”
New! AFSCME grows ranks in pandemic

Growth is one of AFSCME Council 31’s most vital missions. Seeking the union difference, more than 1,500 workers have organized with AFSCME Council 31 since March 2020.
New! Biden signs bipartisan infrastructure bill

President Joe Biden signed the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill on Nov. 15, bringing more than $17 billion for capital projects in Illinois.
New! Supreme Court refuses to take up cases aimed at weakening unions

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear four cases aimed at expanding the scope of its 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31.
New! Better Together: AFSCME Council 31 Convention

With the theme of Better Together, AFSCME Council 31’s 22nd biennial convention focused on all that has been achieved through solidarity over the last two years—and the importance of staying united to overcome the challenges ahead.
New! VIDEO: In Memoriam—Rest in Power

This memorial video of AFSCME members who we have lost since our last convention in 2019 was aired at convention on October 15, 2021 and includes a beautiful performance by Renee Barnes who is on the staff of our international union.
New! VIDEO: AFSCME Council 31 On the Front Lines

AFSCME members have been on the front lines of this pandemic since Day One and we’re still going strong. Don’t miss this video that premiered at the Council 31 convention on October 16.