News
SEIU Local 73 Endorsed Candidates Win Illinois Primaries
The 2024 primary election in Illinois resulted in more than 85 percent of SEIU Local 73 endorsed candidates winning their elections with two races too close to call. Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps (1st District), won her election in a landslide, securing a critical ally as our union heads into contract negotiations next year.
With more than 100,000 mail-in ballots still to be counted, the Bring Chicago Home (BCH) referendum is very close. Corporate landlords and millionaire developers waged legal challenges to ensure they would not have to pay what they owe to the city of Chicago. The broad-based BCH coalition–made up of homeless and formerly homeless people, union members, faith leaders, social service providers, community organizations, and grassroots volunteers–is determined to keep fighting for housing justice.
“Once again, our members demonstrates that our vote is our voice,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73. “Every year we continue to elect candidates who support our members and the work they do. It is reflected in our ability to negotiate good contracts with significant wage increases, better benefits, and workplace protections. And in our ability to pass legislation at the municipal, county, state, and national levels.”
“Member involvement has been the key to our political success,” said Palmer. “From door knocking to phone banking and everything in between, Local 73 members stepped up to get our endorsed candidates elected.”
Local 73’s political work is funded through voluntary contributions to our political action committee, COPE. COPE contributions give us the ability to elect candidates who support our members and our issues.
“I encourage all of our members to contribute to COPE so we can continue to elect candidates who support us and win on critical legislative issues,” said Palmer.