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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

AFSCME is taking our fight to save Choate to the courts.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Direct support professionals are dedicated caregivers. They show up every day with patience, compassion and skill to help people with disabilities live full lives. During this DSP Appreciation Week, we resolve to continue the fight to ensure that every DSP is paid fairly for their difficult work.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today we mark 25 years since September 11. We honor the victims, the first responders who responded with extraordinary courage, and the families and friends whose lives were forever changed. We honor their memory always.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The lack of mental health beds in Illinois is already severe. Now, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association is warning that if the state proceeds with drastically reducing services at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, the problem—especially in southern Illinois—could rapidly worsen.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

As students return to schools and universities across Illinois, AFSCME members are there to welcome them. From the school bus drivers to the food service workers, AFSCME members make back to school happen.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Southern Illinois stands united in saying Keep Choate Working! Community members across the region are standing with AFSCME Local 141 against the state’s proposed downsizing of Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Despite repeated assurances from the state that there would be no layoffs this year, our union learned yesterday that the Illinois Department of Human Services plans to drastically downsize Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, laying off more than 200 employees.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

When Bain Capital bought disability services provider Broadstep—where workers were represented by AFSCME Local 1972—quality of care collapsed as the new owners cut corners. Soon after, Broadstep’s Illinois homes were forced to shut down, and caregivers like Rori Schrader lost their jobs.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

This 4th of July, we celebrate our freedoms—the freedom to join together, the freedom to speak out, and the freedom to fight for something better. That’s what AFSCME members do every single day.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

The federal government tried to disqualify public service workers with student loans from receiving Public Service Loan Forgiveness based on supposed political disagreements. Our union fought back, and on Tuesday, the courts agreed with us.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This Juneteenth, we recognize how far we have come, and how far we still must go. Black workers across the country continue to push for fair pay and safe working conditions. The fight for justice and equality is a long one—and one that will be won through solidarity.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

More than 75 employees of the Moultrie County Beacon are forming a union with Council 31! “By standing together and forming our union, we can build a stronger organization for both workers and the individuals who depend on us every day,” the workers wrote in a public letter released Thursday.

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Reposted by AFSCME Council 31

Illinois Cultural Workers United / AFSCME @ilcwuafscme.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

"An empowered and unified workforce leads to greater employee satisfaction, retention and productivity, resulting in a better library for everyone,” Geneva Public Library workers say. That's why they're claiming their voice on the job by forming a union with AFSCME Council 31! @afscme31.bsky.social

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Everyone deserves to be proud of the work they do and the lives they lead. That’s why we support LGBTQ+ workers’ rights and advocate for a more equitable workplace. Happy Pride Month!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Members of AFSCME Local 370 who work for the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine organized several direct actions in their fight for a new contract—and the result is an agreement that features their first-ever parental leave policy, and pay raises 2x what management initially offered.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

When disaster strikes, AFSCME members answer the call. City of Freeport 911 telecommunicator and AFSCME Local 3367 member Cierra Matthews’ quick thinking in response to a deadly house fire saved a woman’s life and earned her a commendation from the city.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

On this day 10 years ago, 10,000 union members descended on Springfield to protest Bruce Rauner’s anti-union, anti-worker agenda. Rauner—and every other anti-union politician watching—got a lesson that day: Don’t cross working people, because we fight back.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

NEWS: 100 Cook County Board of Review employees have won their first union contract! Before they joined AFSCME, Board of Review employees’ pay lagged behind other AFSCME-represented workers in the county. But now that they have a voice on the job, they were able to win fairer pay for their work.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

NEWS: Library workers at the Prospect Heights Public Library filed for their union with AFSCME Council 31! When their union is certified, they’re looking forward to working towards a more equitable workplace, improving staffing—and making their voices heard on the policies that affect them.

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AFSCME @afscme.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Congratulations to the AFSCME members who keep Illinois State University running! They secured a new contract and returned to work this week after being on strike for four weeks.

afscme.org

Illinois State workers win a new contract, end 4-week strike

AFSCME members end Illinois State University strike after winning a strong new contract.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

BIG NEWS: Late last night the AFSCME Local 1110 Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement with ISU! Members are reviewing the terms of the agreement today and voting on ratification. If approved, the 28-day-long strike at the university will be over.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

On May Day — International Workers' Day — we remember the sacrifices made by union members of the past to win the rights we have today. The 8-hour workday, weekends, overtime pay, workplace safety protections—they weren't handed to us. Workers fought for them, and some gave their lives for them.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Members of AFSCME Local 1110, accompanied by State Sen. Dave Koehler and State Rep. Sharon Chung, delivered a stack of 6,000 petition signatures to President Tarhule on Friday. That’s 6,000 students, parents and community members saying that ISU should end the strike and agree to a fair contract.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

AFSCME-represented direct support professionals from across Illinois converged on Springfield on Wednesday to urge lawmakers to support a bill that will fund a fair wage increase for their work.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

IL Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Treasurer Michael Frerichs are speaking out in support of members of AFSCME Local 1110. The statewide leaders are calling on ISU to end the strike by coming back to the bargaining table and agreeing to a fair contract.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

On Day 9 of their strike, ISU workers, along with students, faculty and staff, rallied outside President Tarhule’s office to send him a message: You can’t hide from us forever. Order your team back to the bargaining table and agree to a fair contract.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

It’s Day 8 of the ISU strike—and members of AFSCME Local 1110 aren’t backing down. The students are with them. The faculty are with them. Elected officials are with them. AFSCME members across Illinois are with them. They’re in this fight for respect. They won’t back down until they get it.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

The editorial board of The Vidette, ISU’s student newspaper, is calling out university administration for its failure to treat campus workers with respect. They’re urging President Tarhule to immediately end the strike by agreeing to a fair contract.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

ISU building service worker Alexandra Salto is on strike for her daughters, Yaslin and Yoana. The low pay ISU currently offers means she has to work long hours just to keep food on their table and a roof over their heads.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

ISU strike, Day 3: University hiring strikebreakers from private, for-profit companies

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

It’s day 3 of the strike at ISU and members of AFSMCE Local 1110 are united and determined to HOLD THE LINE!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Illinois State students see and feel the work members of AFSCME Local 1110 do every day to keep the campus running. Without their work, dorms aren’t cleaned, food isn’t served and grounds aren’t picked up.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

AFSCME Local 1110 is ON STRIKE! At 6 a.m., more than 300 building service, dining service, grounds workers at Illinois State University walked off the job. They’re striking for dignity, respect and a wage they can actually live on—and they’re prepared to stand strong for as long as it takes.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Caring for people with disabilities isn’t just a job—it’s a calling. Direct support professionals (DSPs) answer that call with care and compassion. But chronically low wages mean they struggle to provide for their families.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

BREAKING: Members of AFSCME Local 1110 who work for Illinois State University have voted by a 97% MARGIN to authorize a STRIKE! Local 1110 delivered a 10-day notice of their intent to strike to ISU President Tarhule yesterday, meaning they could walk off anytime on or after April 8.

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Illinois Cultural Workers United / AFSCME @ilcwuafscme.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

BIG NEWS! Employees of the American Library Association (ALA) are forming their union with @afscme31.bsky.social. Welcome to our union family!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch responds to Gov. Pritzker's state budget address.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

We're remember civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, who sadly passed away this morning.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Employees of the Cook County Board of Review have been at the table for 14 months trying to win a first contract. As their bargaining committee headed out to negotiations Tuesday, members joined them—showing management the membership has their backs every step of the way.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Today we celebrate the birthday of a great Illinoisan: President Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln knew that when the people are united with a common purpose, we can build a freer, fairer future.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

After months of unresolved staffing shortages and safety concerns, members of AFSCME Local 401 at Murray Developmental Center took to the picket line last weekend to tell facility management to put safety and care first!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

When disasters strike, FEMA workers show up to help families through the worst days of their lives. The Trump administration’s move to slash FEMA’s workforce will lead to more preventable deaths and cause more strain on local/state emergency responders. afscme31.org/news/afscme-...

afscme31.org

AFSCME files lawsuit to prevent gutting of FEMA

AFSCME, along with a broad coalition of labor unions, nonprofit organizations, and local governments, has filed a new lawsuit opposing the Trump administration’s plan to drastically cut staffing at th...

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Solidarity with the 31,000 UNAC/AFSCME-represented nurses in California who are out on strike until Kaiser Permanente agrees to a fair contract that includes better staffing levels and better care for their patients!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

When extreme weather hits, AFSCME members jump into action. Members of AFSCME Local 1669 who work for the Chicago Department of Family & Support Services were out all night in -20 windchills to help people experiencing homelessness find shelter and hand out dry socks and gloves.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

We’re sharing this statement issued by our union family from AFSCME Council 5 in Minnesota after the killing of Renee Good because it is an important reminder of one of the labor movement's most foundational values: That an injury to one is an injury to all.

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

It’s official: Champaign Public Library workers have overwhelmingly voted YES to forming a union with AFSCME! Welcome to the AFSCME family!

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AFSCME Council 31 @afscme31.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenged America to live up to its fundamental ideals in order to build a more just and compassionate society respecting every person’s dignity. Today, on his birthday, we honor his call to stand up for justice and against hatred everywhere.

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