In late May 2021, both houses of the Illinois General Assembly passed SJRCA0011, a ballot measure that, if passed by voters, would amend the Illinois Constitution, creating a constitutional right for Illinois workers to unionize.
The ballot measure would amend Section 25 of Article I of the Bill of Rights of the Illinois Constitution. The ballot measure states:
Employees shall have a fundamental right to organize and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing for the purpose of negotiating wages, hours, and working conditions, and to protect their economic welfare and safety at work. No law shall be passed that interferes with, negates, or diminishes the right of employees to organize and bargain collectively over their wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment and workplace safety, including any law or ordinance that prohibits the execution or application of agreements between employers and labor organizations that represent employees requiring membership in an organization as a condition of employment.
The ballot measure will be on the ballot for the November 2022 Election. Voters will be given a simple “yes” or “no” choice on whether Illinois should adopt the amendment when casting their ballot. The Illinois Constitution requires amendments to be approved either by three-fifths (60%) of voters voting on the question or by a simple majority of voters
The Workplace Report will keep readers updated on any developments regarding this ballot measure.
