UNION REPRESENTATION DURING A PANDEMIC | The Case of K-12 School COVID Protocols, Public Health and Individual Autonomy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the Illinois educational workforce, creating a complex interplay between public health measures, individual autonomy, and union dynamics. This report, based on a survey of Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) members, highlights these multifaceted responses to vaccine mandates and the intricate position of teachers’ unions during these … Read more

AI AND THE FUTURE OF WORK IN ILLINOIS | An Assessment of Workers at Risk by Automated Technologies

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and other automating technologies generates concerns among scholars, policymakers, and workers’ representatives. AI is expected to bring profound transformations to the workplace, and preparing for these changes will facilitate a smoother transition into the future. In 2022, the Illinois Task Force on the Future of Work produced a … Read more

City of Chicago Tipped Worker Report

This report consists of two chapters addressing potential reforms for tipped minimum wage in the City of Chicago. The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection sought the assistance of the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago in conducting a study required by the Chicago City Council that examines the economic impact … Read more

THE EFFECTS OF “RIGHT-TO-WORK” REGULATIONS ON WORKER EARNINGS, UNION MEMBERSHIP, AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

So-called “right-to-work” laws are government regulations that prohibit employers and unions from voluntarily ensuring that each member who accrues a return from collective bargaining also contributes a fair share. They allow workers to forgo union membership but require unions to continue providing services and benefits to those who do not pay. This reduces the resources … Read more

CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIPS AS A CAREER DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVE IN INDIANA | Enrollment, Diversity, Hours, Completion Rates, and Earnings in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Registered apprenticeships are training programs in which participants “earn while they learn” with tuition costs covered by employers or joint labor-management organizations, who gain access to a stable pool of skilled workers. Apprenticeship training is particularly important to combating skilled labor shortages in construction. Read full report here.