Members of AFSCME Locals 1110 and 3236 are negotiating a new contract with Illinois State University—they brought their case for a living wage to the university’s July 26 board of trustees meeting.

The annual scholarship honoring the first executive director of Council 31 was awarded to Olivia Streeter and Victoria Revolinski. Congratulations to all our 2019 applicants, and good luck!

Diego Andrade-Cabrera, son of AFSCME Local 2854 member Doris Andrade and recipient of a 2019 AFSCME Family Scholarship, describes how his mother's union job changed their lives for the better.

A year after the Supreme Court ruling eliminating union fair-share fees, things haven’t turned out as Janus, Rauner or the IPI had planned. Instead, public employee unions have continued to grow all across the country.

AFSCME Local 440 members are committed to being 100% Union through member engagement, communication and unity.

"This tragic incident is a painful reminder of the risks that so many public servants face as they serve their communities every day," Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said.

Together union members have improved and protected pensions, expanded rights on the job, made workplaces safer, blocked privatization, and so much more. It’s precisely those gains the IPI wants to undermine.

Union members and their families can earn an Associate Degree with no out-of-pocket costs through a partnership between AFSCME and Eastern Gateway Community College.

"It makes me happy that I’m able to make a difference in people’s lives, especially when it comes to the children. I dedicate my all to what I do every day. I’m determined to have a positive impact with care and words of encouragement."

AFSCME never quit battling for justice since ousted governor Bruce Rauner illegally froze employee step increases on July 1, 2015. Finally, state of Illinois employees are back in step and will get their back wages by the end of this September.

AFSCME Council 31’s Personal Support Program (PSP) has helped tens of thousands of AFSCME members and their dependents thrive since it was created in 1992.

In an extraordinarily challenging time, AFSCME members succeeded in sharing their story and fighting for continued progress for the adults and youth they serve every day.