Annual Report Shows Labor Gaining Strength in Private Sector, Despite Public Sector Losses Following Janus Decision Chicago: Though a 2018 Supreme Court decision and so-called “right-to-work” laws have continued to negatively impact union membership, the U.S. added union members for … Continue reading REPORT: U.S. Added Union Members for Second Straight Year; Illinois Saw Highest Number of Successful Union Petitions in A Decade 

Expanding Coverage of Prevailing Wage Standards to More Broadband Projects Would Improve Outcomes La Grange, IL: As Minnesota leverages hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal funding to spur a nearly $2 billion total investment in expanding high-speed … Continue reading Study Shows Minnesota Broadband Projects Lag Other Types of Public Works on Local Hiring, Job Quality, and Taxpayer Accountability

La Grange, IL:  The development of an air-cargo only airport in Will County—long discussed by state and local lawmakers—could create nearly 8,000 jobs over a multi-year construction period and boost regional economic activity by over $1.3 billion, according to a … Continue reading Study Says Development of Air Cargo-Only South Suburban Airport Would Create Nearly 8,000 Jobs and Boost Economy by $1.3 Billion

Analysis of Port of Seattle Projects Shows PLAs Delivering Better Outcomes than Non-PLA Alternatives La Grange, IL: A first-of-its-kind analysis of construction projects from the Port of Seattle between 2016 and 2023—including airports and seaports—shows that project labor agreements (PLAs) … Continue reading Study Shows that Project Labor Agreements Promote Bid Competition, Control Costs, and Expand Pathways to Skilled Construction Careers

Efforts to Scale Back Project Could Undermine Billions in Projected Long-Term Economic Benefits La Grange, IL: As the City of Chicago and partner airlines negotiate over the future of the O’Hare 21 modernization program, a new report by the nonpartisan … Continue reading STUDY: Completing O’Hare Modernization Could Grow Economy Nearly $20 Billion and Create Almost 100K Jobs

34% say they plan to leave profession in next 12 months, but most would stay if Illinois enacted a law mandating staffing ratios for Registered Nurses La Grange, IL: A systemic staffing crisis marked by widespread labor shortages continues to … Continue reading AFTER COVID, SURVEY SHOWS NURSING PROFESSION REMAINS IN CRISIS IN ILLINOIS

HB 3940 reformed system that imposed sub-market pay rates on auto dealers and technicians performing repairs on vehicles under warranty Chicago, IL: A 2022 law that eliminated a two-tiered compensation system for certified auto mechanics at Illinois’ car dealerships has … Continue reading STUDY: Bipartisan Auto Repair Reform Law Has Improved Job Quality for Skilled Mechanics Boosted Economy, and Strengthened Public Budgets

Chicago, IL: A first-of-its-kind study on the effects of enacting a state-level Child Tax Credit (CTC) in Illinois finds that the policy would reduce child poverty, directly affect a majority of Illinois children, deliver significant income tax cuts to eligible … Continue reading STUDY: Illinois Child Tax Credit Would Reduce Child Poverty, Cut Taxes for Families with Children, and Grow the State’s Economy

Support Included Majorities of Democrats and Republicans; Members Think Amendment Will Promote High-Quality Jobs in Illinois Chicago, IL: Nine-in-ten union members voted in favor of the Workers’ Rights Amendment last year, including bipartisan majorities of Democratic and Republican members—according to … Continue reading SURVEY: 88% of Illinois’ Union Members Voted Yes on Workers’ Rights Amendment Last Year