Rush Medical Center Nurses Petition to Form Union

Nurses say a union would help prevent burnout and ensure patient safety

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:58pm

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a stethoscope, nurse's badge, and red scrub top arranged elegantly on a clean white background, conceptually representing the fight for healthcare workers' rights.The push by Rush nurses to unionize reflects a growing movement among healthcare workers to have a stronger voice in issues impacting patient care and workplace conditions.Chicago Today

A crowd of nurses from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago gathered on Thursday to declare their efforts to form a union. The nurses, who will be represented by the National Nurses United, filed a petition to hold a union election, one of the first steps to formally form a union and bargain a contract. They held a rally outside the hospital where they were joined by other area nurses, labor leaders and local politicians urging the hospital to cooperate with a speedy election.

Why it matters

The push to unionize at Rush is part of a broader wave of unionization among nurses across the country. Nurses say a union would give them more of a voice in conversations around staffing ratios, retention, and patient safety. If successful, the Rush nurses would join over 6,500 unionized nurses in the Chicago area represented by the National Nurses Organizing Committee.

The details

The nurses filed a petition on Wednesday to hold a union election, which would be one of the first steps to formally form a union and bargain a contract. A date for the election has not yet been set, but the National Labor Relations Board stated the number of eligible employees is 1,700, including full-time, part-time and per diem registered nurses. In a statement, Rush said it was aware of the petition and would be discussing it with the nursing team over the next several weeks.

  • The nurses filed a petition to hold a union election on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • The nurses held a rally outside Rush Medical Center on Thursday, April 10, 2026.

The players

National Nurses United

A labor union that will represent the Rush nurses in their efforts to form a union.

Kira Pilatejean

A Rush nurse and union unit leader who said a union would help prevent burnout and allow nurses to stay in their jobs.

Keeley Binion

A Rush nurse of 40 years who said the union was important not just for current nurses but for those who will one day work at the hospital.

Don Villar

The Chicago Federation of Labor representative who spoke in support of the nurses at the rally.

Rush University Medical Center

The Chicago hospital where the nurses are seeking to form a union.

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What they’re saying

“Long live the union.”

— Don Villar, Chicago Federation of Labor

“This is just protections for us, for our patients to make sure that we stay because I think everybody here loves their job. We want to stay at our job, and that's our goal.”

— Kira Pilatejean, Rush nurse and union unit leader

“They need to recognize and respect our rights and patient's rights and let us have a seat at the table. Let me correct that — we will demand a seat at the table.”

— Keeley Binion, Rush nurse of 40 years

What’s next

A date for the union election has not yet been set, but the National Labor Relations Board stated the number of eligible employees is 1,700. Rush said it would be discussing the petition with the nursing team over the next several weeks.

The takeaway

The push by Rush nurses to form a union is part of a broader trend of nurses across the country seeking more of a voice in issues like staffing, retention, and patient safety. If successful, the Rush nurses would join over 6,500 unionized nurses in the Chicago area, strengthening the labor movement in the healthcare industry.