On Thursday, April 28, working families across the nation recognize Workers Memorial Day. I encourage you to join your union brothers and sisters as they honor those who have lost their lives on the job and pledge to continue the fight for safer workplaces.
2016 Illinois Workers’ Memorial Day Events
Alton – Thursday, 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 and Park Rd, Alton. Services will begin at 7:00 PM. Contact Mike Fultz (618) 409-4314 or Dean Webb at 618-259-8558.
Bloomington – Thursday, April 28, Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service at the Law & Justice Center, 104 W Front Street in Bloomington. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 AM. They will be the names of local union members who have lost their lives. Contact Ron Morehead at 309-828-8813.
Champaign – Thursday, 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 5:30 PM and will feature a keynote address and a memorial wreath presentation. Various union, community and political leaders will be in attendance.
Decatur – Thursday, 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. They will read the names of those who have died on the job. Contact Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923 or Bill Francisco, 217-428-3013.
Galesburg – Thursday, April 28, Galesburg Trades & Labor will have a ceremony at 5:30 PM at the back of 1640 N Henderson St. in Galesburg IL. Food and drinks will be provided for fellowship following ceremony. Contact galesburgtradesandlabor@yahoo.
Joliet – Friday, April 29, Will and Grundy Counties Trades and Labor Council annual Workers’ Memorial Day Dinner at the IBEW 176 Banquet Hall in Joliet. Tickets are $90. Contact Charlie Hanus at 815-744-2886.
Peoria –Thursday, April 28, Labor Council of West Central Illinois Workers’ Memorial Service. They are gathering at the Peoria Labor Temple, 400 NE Jefferson in Peoria at 5:00 PM and walking to the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria. They will have 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 Mike Everett at 309-673-3691.
Quad Cities – Thursday, April 28, Quad Cities Federation of Labor Workers’ Memorial Day Service at 11:30 AM at the USW Local 105 Hall, 880 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA. The union hall will open at 11:00 AM. All working families are invited to this service sponsored by Alcoa Davenport Works – Joint Safety and Health Committee. Lunch will be served after the service. For more information, contact 563-355-1181.
Rockford – Thursday, April 28, the Rockford United Labor Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Workers’ Memorial Tablets located behind the E.J. ‘Zeke’ Giorgi Building, 200 South Wyman Street in Rockford. The event will be at 5:00 PM. For more information, contact Bill Corey, 815-968-1411.
Springfield – Thursday, April 28, Springfield and Central Illinois Trades and Labor Council Workers’ Memorial Day Service at 5:30 PM at the Illinois State Library Atrium, 300 S. Second Street in Springfield. They will recognize fallen workers and lay roses at the monument. Reception will follow. For more information contact Shannon Garrett at 217-789-6495.
Ottawa – Friday, June 10, PAC Golf Outing at Pine Hill Golf Course in Ottawa, IL. Registration will be at 8 AM with tee off at 9 AM. A portion of the proceeds will be awarded in $2000 Workers’ Memorial Scholarships to eligible dependents of members of Illinois Valley Federation of Labor affiliated locals who have been either killed or permanently injured on the job. Contact ivfl.aflcio@gmail.com for more information.