State Sen. Bill Cunningham recently received the Reuben Soderstrom Award for being a labor champion.
“Unions represent an essential pillar for protecting Illinois workers and our communities as a whole,” said Cunningham. “Standing in solidarity with labor is something one should do regardless of recognition, but I am happy to accept the award and encourage my colleagues to keep up the good fight.”
Soderstrom was a key figure in Illinois politics and changed American labor history.
He was the first president of the Illinois AFL-CIO from 1958-1970, increasing the organization’s membership by five times. Soderstrom fought to end discrimination in the workplace and spearheaded the AFL-CIO merger. The award is given to those who have raised their voice on behalf of organized labor in the Illinois General Assembly.
Cunningham received the award in part due to his work on extending workers’ compensation protections, strengthening pension benefits for retired workers and making sure first responders received proper compensation and benefits for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cunningham has been an ally to labor his entire career, voting against anti-union measures, including so-called “Right to Work” laws in 2017. Cunningham vowed to continue his work to fight for labor groups.
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