Right to Work in Illinois
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Illinois is a union-friendly state with no right-to-work law; unions can require membership or fees.
How Illinois treats Right to Work
Illinois does not have a right-to-work statute and permits unions to negotiate union-security agreements requiring employees to join unions or pay agency fees. Public sector employees in Illinois are also subject to union-security provisions under collective bargaining agreements. The state's framework generally allows unions to maintain membership and financial support through negotiated agreements.
The general definition of Right to Work
A legal principle that employees cannot be forced to join a union or pay union fees as a job condition.
Right to work is a state law that protects workers from being required to join a labor union or pay union dues in order to keep their job. In right-to-work states, union membership is voluntary. This contrasts with union-security agreements in other states, where workers may be required to join or contribute to a union as a condition of employment.
Read the full Right to Work entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Illinois.