Illinois AFL-CIO Honors Labor Leaders at Annual Awards Ceremony

Department of Labor Director, State Senator, and Retired State Representative recognized for advocacy on behalf of working families

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Illinois AFL-CIO honored three Illinois leaders - Illinois Department of Labor Director Jane Flanagan, State Senator Doris Turner, and retired State Representative Marty Moylan - for their outstanding contributions to the state's Labor Movement at its annual 'Labor Salutes' awards ceremony on February 25.

Why it matters

The awards recognize public officials who have demonstrated a strong commitment to organized labor and supporting issues important to union members and working families in Illinois, especially as the Trump administration continues its assault on workers' rights.

The details

The Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea stated that the honorees have 'spent their entire careers relentlessly fighting for working families' and are 'standing firm and proving why Illinois remains the home of the American Labor Movement.' The Labor Salutes tradition began in 1994 and the Illinois AFL-CIO now represents over 1,500 affiliated unions and nearly 900,000 union members across the state.

  • The annual 'Labor Salutes' awards ceremony took place on February 25, 2026.
  • The Labor Salutes tradition began in 1994.

The players

Tim Drea

President of the Illinois AFL-CIO.

Jane Flanagan

Director of the Illinois Department of Labor, recipient of the Margaret Blackshere, Women in Leadership Award.

Doris Turner

Illinois State Senator, recipient of the Zeke Giorgi Award.

Marty Moylan

Retired Illinois State Representative and IBEW 134 member, recipient of the Reuben Soderstrom Award.

Pat Devaney

Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer.

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What they’re saying

“The Illinois Labor Movement is proud to stand behind these three leaders who have spent their entire careers relentlessly fighting for working families.”

— Tim Drea, President, Illinois AFL-CIO (labortribune.com)

“This year's Labor Salutes is an opportunity to bring our elected leaders and Organized Labor together to showcase the strength and unity of our Labor Movement.”

— Pat Devaney, Secretary-Treasurer, Illinois AFL-CIO (labortribune.com)

The takeaway

The Illinois AFL-CIO's annual Labor Salutes awards ceremony highlights the state's commitment to supporting organized labor and working families, even as the Trump administration continues its anti-worker agenda nationally. The honorees demonstrate Illinois' continued leadership in the American labor movement.