February Newsletter – Fighting like hell for Illinois’ working families
Dear friends:
We have heard from many of you trying to comprehend the news at the federal level and its impact on everyday, Illinois working people. In Springfield, we are working diligently to pass pro-worker legislation and build power by demonstrating that labor will not sit still while the federal government tries to rob us of our hard won gains.
Across the state, we are out in full force to win the April 1 consolidated election. Central Labor Council’s issued candidate endorsements that can be found here. We are fighting like hell to defend our postal workers, to protect our transportation workers, to ensure a fair retirement for all workers and to create more pathways to good, union jobs for the next generation. The labor movement is standing its ground and will not back down.
Despite our impact locally, Illinoisans are still directly impacted by the reality of decisions coming from the Trump administration, and its devastating toll on our families and communities.
Earlier this month, President Trump’s first economic report card came in: in February, the economy added just 151,000 new jobs. Bosses announced plans for another 172,017 layoffs, a 245% increase over January. More than 450,000 workers are settling for part-time work instead of the full-time jobs they need—reflecting a harsher job market than we’ve had in years.
Elon Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were directly responsible for the thousands of jobs lost in February because this unelected billionaire fired experienced, skilled and dedicated federal workers across the country without cause. DOGE also cuts critical jobs support by government contracts and grants — like veteran-owned small businesses contracted to modernize VA services, grants to nonprofits that enforce anti-housing discrimination law, and cuts to university research centers working on treatments for cancer and Alzheimer’s.
We are also seeing Trump escalate his attempt to eliminate the federal government’s role in education — a move that most Americans do not want because it would diminish opportunities for students and the future of our workforce. If Trump’s proposal is to take effect, Illinois would see massive job cuts, worsened teacher shortages and resources would be stripped from students who need them most.
Our education professionals are overworked and underpaid due to years of chronic underfunding — the proposed cuts would be devastating for teachers, counselors, social workers and everyone who works so hard to provide for our children.
We will not back down from the attacks on working people by the Trump administration. Our team is on-the-ground from Springfield to Chicago to Southern Illinois to ensure that Illinois remains the pro-labor bastion of the Midwest. The road ahead may be long and windy, but we have the strength of the Illinois labor movement behind us.
In solidarity,
Tim Drea, President and Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer
Read the rest of the updates in our February newsletter here
