Worker’s Rights

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, testifies before the Executive Committee on his legislation to allow legislative staff to unionize, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/John O’Connor)

Illinois House approves staff unionization, GOP questions whether it’s necessary

October 26, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The speaker of the Illinois House on Wednesday won approval for allowing legislative staff to organize for collective bargaining, overcoming Republican objections about whether it’s necessary. Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s legislation, endorsed 74-35 on a largely partisan vote, would…

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Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel “Chris” Welch speaks on the floor of the Illinois House of Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., on Sept. 9, 2021. Justin L. Fowler—The State Journal-Register/AP

State Legislative Staffers Across the U.S. Push to Unionize

October 6, 2023

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says he wants the state’s legislative staff to be allowed to unionize. The Democrat authored a bill he says would allow that last week, even though it’s unusual for the house speaker to write their…

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House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, D-Hillside, is pictured with Senate President Don Harmon (left), D-Oak Park. (Capitol News Illinois file photo by Jerry Nowicki)

Welch introduces bill to allow legislative staff to unionize

September 29, 2023

SPRINGFIELD – House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, has filed legislation that would, for the first time in Illinois, authorize legislative staff to form a union and engage in collective bargaining. House Bill 4148, creating the Legislative Employee Labor Relations…

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It was announced that State Representative Dave Vella will be the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Labor Day Parade. The event hosts, RUL (Rockford United Labor) and the AFL-CIO, chose Representative Dave Vella to be the Grand Marshall of the Labor Day Parade because of his tireless efforts to help the working people of the State-line area throughout his tenure in office.

68th District State Representative Dave Vella Named as the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Rockford Labor Day Parade

September 9, 2023

It was announced that State Representative Dave Vella will be the Grand Marshall of the 2023 Labor Day Parade. The event hosts, RUL (Rockford United Labor) and the AFL-CIO, chose Representative Dave Vella to be the Grand Marshall of the…

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Some Illinois municipalities already hire DACA recipients to the police force on a case-by-case basis, but a new Illinois bill will open the opportunity to the entire state. Illustration by Emily Lichty.

Illinois Bill to Allow DACA Recipients to Become Police Officers

May 25, 2023

Amid staffing shortages in police departments across the country, a new bill in Illinois will clear the path for DACA recipients looking to become police officers. State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) introduced the bill in the Illinois House of Representatives…

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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul gave his support for the Illinois Work Without Fear Act, that would protect workers who report workplace violations from being threatened with immigration-related retaliation. Madison Savedra/Block Club Chicago

New State Law Would Protect Immigrants Who Report Unsafe Work Conditions, Officials Say

March 21, 2023

CHICAGO — A new state bill would protect employees from immigration-related threats when speaking out against workers rights’ violations. The Illinois Work Without Fear Act — House Bill 361 — would fill gaps in Illinois employment law to ensure companies can…

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