The Illinois AFL-CIO is committed to helping union members and working families make informed choices at the ballot box. As part of that effort, we provide information about candidates who have earned labor’s support because of their commitment to protecting workers’ rights, strengthening wages and benefits, defending safe workplaces, and advancing policies that support union families across Illinois. After June 17, members will be able to view the full Labor 2026 Endorsements list to see which candidates Illinois labor is recommending in key races.
Your vote is your voice.
Election Registration And Important Dates
Register to Vote & Check Status
Make sure you're registered to vote and verify your status.
Vote Early or Vote By Mail Starting Sept 24
Find out where to vote early or apply to vote by mail, beginning September 24.
2026 Election Dates to Know
A PDF with information on the most important election dates to know for the 2026 elections.
Questions? Get in touch.
If you have any questions about your local candidates or how to vote, please get in touch with us.
Why Unions Are Involved in Elections
Unions are involved in elections because the decisions made by elected officials directly affect the everyday lives of working people — from wages, benefits, workplace safety, and collective bargaining rights to health care, public services, voting rights, and retirement security. The Illinois AFL-CIO works to educate, engage, and mobilize union families across the state so members have the information they need when candidates and policies on the ballot could impact their jobs, families, and communities. Research from the Economic Policy Institute also shows that states with stronger union membership tend to see broader benefits beyond the workplace, including higher wages, stronger economic protections, better access to health coverage, and healthier democratic participation.
Register To Vote By Mail
Exercise your power to vote by mail. Once you registered to vote by mail, you can vote by mail in all future Illinois elections.
Holding Congress and the Illinois Assembly Accountable
Union members work hard to elect leaders who will stand up for working people — but accountability does not end on Election Day. Voting records help members see how elected officials actually voted on issues affecting workers’ rights, jobs, wages, benefits, workplace safety, and quality of life. Members can use the national AFL-CIO Legislative Scorecard to review U.S. congressional votes, and the Illinois AFL-CIO Voting Record to see how members of the Illinois General Assembly voted on labor priorities important to working families across the state. These tools help union households make informed decisions and hold elected officials accountable to the commitments they make to working people.
See how our endorsed representatives are supporting unions.
“H.R. 6703, Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act
Rep. Nikki BudzinskiUS Congress, Illinois District 13
Working people opposed this bill because it promoted substandard health coverage for working families as a substitute for Affordable Care Act tax credits that would have cut premium costs in half for 20 million Americans. Rep. Nikki Budzinski voted to oppose.”
“H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Sen. Richard J. DurbinUS Senate, Illinois
Working people opposed this bill that would enact devastating cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other important social safety programs to provide tax-cuts to the rich. Sen. Richard J. Durbin voted to oppose.”
“SB 1976 - Illinois Workers’ Rights & Worker Safety Act
Sen. Robert Peters (D–13) / Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D–33)Illinois Assembly Members
The Illinois Workers Rights and Worker Safety Act will ensure that Illinois keeps the long-established worker protections under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, Federal OSHA, and Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. SB 1976 passed the House on a bipartisan roll call. Both Sen. Robert Peters (D–13) / Rep. Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (D–33) voted to pass.”