Illinois Bids to Entrench Union Power

Illinois unions are optimistic about the prospect that a ballot amendment this November could codify their political power in the state constitution. They also hope that this could be a blueprint for major Labor across the country.

In a recent radio interview with WMAY, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea was asked why the First Amendment was necessary when Illinois was one of the most pro-union states and labor unions had unprecedented political turmoil. “I have to tell you,” Mr. Drea said, “we get a lot of interest about this amendment from other states.”