Illinois Bids to Entrench Union Power

Illinois unions are feeling bullish at the prospect that a ballot amendment this November could codify their political power in the state constitution. They are also hoping that this could be a blueprint for Big Labor across the country.

In a recent radio interview with WMAY, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea was asked why Amendment 1 is necessary when Illinois is one of the most pro-union states and labor unions already have unprecedented political sway. “I gotta tell you,” Mr. Drea said, “we’re getting a lot of interest on this amendment from other states.”