Andrade-Backed Legislation Protecting Workers’ Rights Passes House

CHICAGO – Standing up for working families, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, helped pass legislation that protects the rights of working men and women across Illinois.

“Working men and women are facing unprecedented attacks from Bruce Rauner and his extreme right-wing allies,” Andrade said. “Our state is driven by the middle class, yet Bruce Rauner continues to double down on his efforts to reduce wages and benefits for working families so he can give out huge tax cuts to his billionaire and millionaire friends.”

Senate Bill 1905 would prevent local governments from enacting “right to work” ordinances within their limits. “Right to work” is a term used to describe laws that seek to weaken unions, typically trade unions that represent men and women who build roads and maintain infrastructure. Because of the protections of trade unions, the men and women who work in construction have good-paying jobs and are able to support their families and be members of the middle class. “Right to work” laws are typically supported by major business interests who would be able to expand their profits if given the ability to pay their employees a greatly reduced salary.

“With the Rauner administration in chaos amidst a staff shakeup and hard-right turn on policy, I expect the attacks on working families to get even worse,” Andrade said. “My proposal ensures that working men and women in Illinois will continue to have access to good-paying jobs that provide a bridge to the middle-class.”

Senate Bill 1905 passed the House and Senate and is awaiting further action by the governor.