Category: Legislative

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

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.

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 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 U.S. Supreme Court announced on Jan. 25 that it won’t hear a bloc of cases that sought to financially kneecap unions for obeying the law.

Early drafts of criminal justice reform legislation threatened employee bargaining rights and legal protections, but member phone calls and staff lobbying efforts blocked the most harmful provisions.

A budget shortfall of this magnitude can’t be fixed by cutting employee wages and hiring freezes, or by closing prisons.

"This should not be a partisan issue. The coronavirus is devastating all communities governed by officials from both parties. And federal aid is designed to save jobs and public services everywhere."

President Trump said on Tuesday, October 6 that he would halt all negotiations for a coronavirus relief bill with Congress until after the election.

If you are a non-instructional employee in a school district, university or other educational setting, act quickly to receive unemployment benefits this summer.