Union movement in Illinois going through resurgence, experts say

Parade goers hold a sign that reads, “Yes for workers rights!” as they march down South Ewing Avenue on the East Side during the Labor Day Parade last year. (Pat Nabong/Sun-Times)

SPRINGFIELD — As workers in Illinois prepare to celebrate Labor Day this weekend, a new report shows there has been a surge in efforts to organize labor unions in workplaces throughout the state, while overall public approval of labor unions nationally is the highest in nearly six decades.

In 2022, there were 72 successful petitions to organize labor unions in Illinois, which represent 9,600 new unionized workers, the highest single-year numbers at any point in the last decade.