- Illinois voters approved a broadly worded ballot initiative to
provide an expansive right to collectively bargain over topics that
extend beyond traditional NLRA-defined terms and conditions of
employment.
- This Amendment would have a significant impact on bargaining
rights in both the public and private sectors, although it faces
potential preemption by the NLRA.
On November 8, 2022, Illinois voters approved the Illinois
Constitution Amendment 1 (the “Workers' Rights
Amendment” or the “Amendment”), which amends the
state constitution to guarantee workers a broad right to collective
bargaining. Originally passed as a proposed amendment by the
Illinois State Legislature on May 26, 2021, the Amendment received
58% of the vote, with more than 2.1 million ballots cast in its
favor.1 The Amendment states:
