Pro-labor constitutional amendment in close race for voter approval

Faculty members at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago participate in a union organizing rally in May. A proposed amendment to the state constitution would assure that workers have a “fundamental right” to organize for collective bargaining. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

An Illinois constitutional amendment guaranteeing workers’ right to unionize drew strong voter support Tuesday, but whether the measure becomes law could depend on a count of all ballots.

The Workers’ Rights Amendment, if adopted, would assure the right to collective bargaining while banning any right-to-work laws for the private sector. Right-to-work allows people to avoid union dues as a condition of employment.