Working men and women were victorious last Tuesday night as the Workers’ Rights Amendment was approved by enough voters to be formally adopted to the Illinois Constitution. The implementation of this amendment ensures that all Illinoisans have the right to collectively bargain.

“The people of Illinois have spoken: collective bargaining rights are now constitutionally guaranteed,” said Terrence J. Hancock, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “This is a major victory for organized labor, and solidifies Illinois as the most pro-labor state in the country.”

Labor allies for other offices who were also victorious include Governor J.B. Pritzker, who was reelected over Senator Darren Bailey. Like Governor Pritzker, all other statewide democratic candidates won their races by double-figures, including Teamster-endorsed candidate for Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

Judge Liz Rochford and Justice Mary K. O’Brien each won their state Supreme Court Races, giving Democrats a 5-2 majority on the state’s highest court. Both Rochford and O’Brien were supported by labor.

Teamster members continued to have success on the ballot. Esiah Campos, a member of Teamsters Local Union No. 705, won election to the Lake County Board, and Teamsters Local Union No. 916 member Dan Pogorzelski won a two-year term on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation Board of commissioners in Cook County.

“We are very fortunate to have many candidates in Illinois who are advocates of labor and the Teamsters organization,” said Hancock. “Their success is our members’ success.”

Special acknowledgement must also be mentioned to recognize and commend the due diligence and professional efforts of our Director of Government Affairs, Michael Ciaccio who serves as our political strategist and Trevor Clatfelter who is our contractual lobbyist who together analyze and evaluate every candidate on behalf of the Joint Council and our affiliated Local Unions.

GREAT TEAM…GREAT RESULTS!