* From the Illinois AFL-CIO…

Today, the Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed candidates for the March 2026 primary election, following the recommendations of more than 100 delegates from across the state at the Committee on Political Education (COPE) meeting in Countryside. Endorsements were confirmed by the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board, and include candidates for statewide office, U.S. House, state legislature and judicial races.

“Illinois needs to remain a pro-labor bastion in the Midwest and ensure we are electing pro-labor candidates to protect middle-class wages, affordable health care, secure retirement and safety on the job,” stated Tim Drea, President of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “The Illinois AFL-CIO endorsement is one of the most coveted in state politics, and not something that union members take lightly. Our members are mobilized and fired up to ensure every voter understands it’s better in a union this election cycle.”

Endorsed candidates will receive the support of the Illinois AFL-CIO political program. Through canvassing, phone-banking, text-banking, and other direct voter contact, union volunteers communicate with 1.7 million union household members statewide about the issues that shape their lives and livelihoods. This robust mobilization paired with targeted mail and digital outreach to union households ensures that working families hear directly from those they trust most to talk about kitchen table economic issues. The Illinois AFL-CIO also equips affiliated unions with customized tools to reach their own members through tailored mail, text, email and more.

“Every year, the Illinois labor movement secures critical wins for working families,” said Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO. “However, these gains are fragile and can disappear with the stroke of a pen, and our members are ready to do whatever it takes to protect their hard-earned union rights. We’re looking forward to working with the candidates who understand the real difference unions make in our member’s lives and who are committed to building on our victories from Washington to Springfield.”

To earn an endorsement, candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to working families through their voting record and/or a completed candidate questionnaire. COPE delegates reflect the diversity of our state, representing workers from Chicago to Cairo and from public sector unions to building trades to manufacturing and hospitality.

* The full list is here.

The statewide union umbrella organization did not endorse any Democratic candidates for US Senate or state comptroller. That’s probably good news for Raja Krishnamoorthi, as it deprives his less than cash-rich opponents from the important statewide endorsement.

The Illinois AFL-CIO also took a pass in all of the contested Congressional primaries except one, the hotly contested CD9 where it endorsed Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss against a slew of opponents.

It punted on CD2 (Robin Kelly), CD7 (Danny Davis) and CD8 (Raja Krishnamoorthi). It did endorse in Democratic primaries within Republican-held districts.

Thoughts?