Decline in Labor Union Participation in Illinois

A recent report indicates a decrease in labor union participation across Illinois. According to the State of the Unions 2024 report, the unionization rate in the state fell by 2.3 percentage points between 2014 and 2023. Various factors contribute to this decline, including the state’s economic shift from manufacturing jobs to higher-paying but lower-union-density positions in management, business, and finance. Additionally, the public sector saw a reduction of 32,000 jobs over the past decade.