FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2026
March 17, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
AFGE Endorses 2 More Illinois Lawmakers for Reelection to Congress
Categories:
Congress, Election 2026, House
Largest federal employee union says lawmakers stand with union members and all federal workers
FOWLERVILLE, Mich. – The American Federation of Government Employees today announced its endorsement of two additional incumbents for reelection to Congress from Illinois, adding to the seven endorsements announced Monday. The statewide primary is today, and the general election is Nov. 3.
Nearly 90,000 federal employees live in Illinois – caring for veterans, supporting the military, and ensuring our food is safe to eat. AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers. AFGE District 7 represents nearly 43,000 members in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
The newly endorsed candidates are:
Rep. Mike Quigley, 5th Congressional District
Rep. Quigley has forged a 30-year career of public service in the Chicago area, serving as Cook County Commissioner before being elected to Congress in 2009. He is the only member of Congress from Illinois who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, where he uses this position to prioritize investments in innovation and infrastructure improvements for the Chicago metro area.
Rep. Quigley believes in well-paying union jobs and supports legislation to increase the minimum wage, combat gender wage discrimination, and guarantee paid sick leave. He has earned a 100% lifetime voting record on AFGE’s key legislative priorities.
“Congressman Mike Quigley has earned our strong support because his decades of service, his 100% record with AFGE, and his unwavering commitment to workers show that he stands firmly with federal workers and the communities we serve every day,” AFGE District 7 National Vice President Jason Anderson said.
Rep. Sean Casten, 6th Congressional District
Casten has represented the greater Chicago area in Congress since 2019, gaining a reputation for keeping in close contact with his constituents by holding more than 70 town halls and hundreds of community events.
Casten believes a good economy starts with strong unions and well-paying jobs. He has co-sponsored the Protect the Right to Organize Act, which would protect the rights of all U.S. employees to form a union and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. He also supports strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs, so our veterans receive the quality care and benefits they have earned.
“Congressman Sean Casten has earned our full support because he consistently stands up for federal workers, from defending public servants against illegal firings to championing the PRO Act and a stronger VA. That’s the kind of unwavering leadership our members can count on,” Anderson said.
Rep. Casten has a 100% voting record on AFGE’s key legislative priorities.
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