SEIU Victory in Chicago

We’ve had some excellent legislative and political victories across the state. For example, last spring, we had an enormous victory on the Chicago City Council.
Since before the 2007 elections, SEIU members began organizing in Chicago to help pass the Big Box Living wage ordinance, which would have required big box stores to pay $10 an hour and $3 an hour towards benefits. It became clear that in order to change the dialogue at city hall, we needed to elect some new alderman. SEIU members spent countless hours going door-to-door and phone banking for our SEIU endorsed Aldermanic candidates.

On Election night SEIU successfully helped elect 7 new alderman to the Chicago city council, the largest turnover since 1946.

Here is what some of the local press had to say:

“Two trends stand out in Tuesday’s election in Chicago. The first is the undeniable success of aldermanic candidates back by unions…..”  –Chicago Sun-Times

"Union’s score key victories in Council..” –Chicago Tribune

"Unions flooded wards with campaign workers…" – Chicago Tribune

"A Brand New Day …"  – Chicago Tribune

Since then SEIU Illinois Council has actively been involved in the Chicago city council including helping alderman navigate the last city budget battle.

In November, the Chicago Sun Times wrote an editorial praising the Chicago City Council for “Taking a Stand.” This was the largest block of alderman to vote against the city budget in the last 8 years.