On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year we will come together to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness and death. We will stand united against the ongoing attacks on workers’ rights and protections, and demand that elected officials put working people’s well-being above corporate interests. We will fight for the right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled. The following are events documented in Illinois - check with your Central Labor Council for actions in your area.
2021 Illinois Workers’ Memorial Day Events
Alton – Wednesday, April 28, the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor AFL-CIO will hold their annual Workers’ Memorial Day services at the Workers Memorial Statue located in the Gordon F. Moore Community Park, Highway 140, Alton, IL. Services will begin at 7:00 PM. Contact Mike Fultz (618) 409-4314 or Dean Webb at 618-259-8558.
Bloomington - The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly will gather at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28 at Laborers Local 362 hall located at 2012 Fox Creek Road, Bloomington, to honor our local fallen workers, particularly Local 362 member Larry Williams, killed in a highway work zone accident on June 9, 2020.
Champaign – Wednesday, April 28, Champaign County AFL-CIO and the East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades will host a memorial event at the Champaign County Worker Memorial site in Dodds Park, 1501 N. Mattis Avenue in Champaign, IL. The ceremony will begin at 4:00 PM and will feature a keynote address and a memorial wreath presentation. Various union, community and political leaders will be in attendance.
Decatur – Wednesday, April 28, Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service, 5:30 PM on the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse lawn, located at 253 West Wood Street in downtown Decatur. Guest speaker will be State Senator Doris Turner (IL-48) and there will be reading of the names of those who have died on the job. Contact Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923 or Lamarcus Williams at 217-413-3577.
Peoria –Wednesday, April 28, Labor Council of West Central Illinois Workers’ Memorial Service. At 6:00 PM gather at the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria. A brief memorial service to honor our fallen brothers & sisters who have died or have been seriously injured as a result of workplace accidents. Contact Tom McGlaughlin at 309-657-6379 or Amy Flynn at 309-674-5181.
Quad City – Wednesday, April 26, USW Local 105, IBEW 1379 and Arconic Davenport Works leadership invite Quad City area working families to join them in a national observance of Workers Memorial Day. This event is by invitation only and will be limited to 25 attendees. Please contact Mike Nichols 563-355-1181 if you would like to attend.
Rockford – Wednesday, April 28, the Rockford United Labor Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 5:00 PM in the lower level of the E.J. ‘Zeke’ Giorgi Building, 200 South Wyman Street in Rockford. This year’s ceremony will focus on those lost May 2019 through March 2021, due to the cancellation of the program last year. For more information, contact Sara Dorner at 815-608-0834 or Betty Christianson at 815-262-3569.
Springfield – Wednesday, April 28, the Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council Workers Memorial Day event will be held virtually with a video on their Facebook page. All day event.