Labor

Joe Ocol

“The Chicago’s Teachers Union has become too powerful and it is becoming even more powerful. I fear that if Amendment 1 passes, the union will have limitless power."

How Amendment 1 could give Illinois more arsonists as fire chiefs

An admitted arsonist was able to become a fire chief and part-time police officer thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s pardon. A proposed constitutional amendment could make it easier for violent felons to work in public safety – even without a pardon.

By Perry Zhao

How Chicago Teachers Union sold $50M high-rise, hid cash from oversight

Chicago Teachers Union leaders made nearly $50 million selling property paid for with union member dues, only to shuffle the proceeds to a charity with less oversight. Members are voting May 20 for transparency from new leaders.

By Patrick Andriesen

Amendment 1 will make bad Illinois business climate worse

A Rockford family and their trucking business are being driven out of Illinois by high taxes and bad public policies. If voters agree Nov. 8 to enshrining public union power in the Illinois Constitution, expect more businesses and workers to leave.

Chicago Teachers Union election May 20 could affect frequency of strikes

CTU has walked out on students three times in three school years. The outcome of its upcoming leadership election pits the status quo against potential change – and could alter the political trajectory of the nation’s most militant teachers union.

By Mailee Smith

Amendment 1 would allow secret government union contracts

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires open access to government union contracts. But Amendment 1 would allow union leaders to override state law to make those contracts secret.

By Hannah Schmid

AFSCME contract lets Illinois state workers miss 10 days without discipline

AFSCME union members receive generous salaries and benefits from their state contract, yet union bosses are pushing to enshrine their power in the Illinois Constitution – something no other state has been willing to do.

Sarah Sachen

“CTU wants to keep pushing and striking for demands not even related to education and I don't want the CTU to have any more power to do that. Learning should not be impeded or stopped for the union’s political games.”

8 reasons Illinois voters should reject Amendment 1

Illinois voters will decide Nov. 8 whether to adopt a radical amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would hike taxes and empower special interests. Those are just two of eight reasons why Amendment 1 is bad for Illinoisans.

By Hannah Schmid

Illinois parents, teachers sue to get unconstitutional union boost off ballot

Amendment 1, billed as a “Workers' Rights Amendment,” actually covers so much more that it violates the U.S. Constitution. Parents and teachers worrying about it emboldening already militant teachers unions are suing to get it off the ballot.

Over 23,000 Illinois public school employees leave unions

Membership in teachers unions has decreased nearly 10% since 2017, when public educators gained the right to stop handing their pay to unions.

By Hannah Schmid

More than 38,000 workers have left government unions in Illinois

The unions’ own federal reports show 9% of workers have chosen to break away from unions since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME.

By Mailee Smith

Chicago-area firefighters win appeal to remove union from their workplace

Firefighters in a Chicago suburb won their appeal to remove the Service Employees International Union from their workplace. False claims by SEIU bosses complicated the process.

By Dylan Sharkey

Cindi Young

“Year after year, I had asked the state to stop deducting the dues. I don’t understand why they were still taking my money. I want my money back.”