Rideshare drivers and lawmakers in Illinois have announced new legislation that aims to create a legal path for rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain. The initiative is led by the Illinois Drivers Alliance, a coalition supported by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Union and SEIU Local 1.
“This legislation protects drivers and guarantees their right to have a voice,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The IAM and SEIU have spent more than a decade winning real protections for rideshare drivers in this country. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Ram Villivalam and Representative Yolanda Morris, Illinois now has a real opportunity to help secure bargaining rights for rideshare drivers across the entire state.”
The announcement was made during a press conference in Chicago, where drivers described issues such as declining pay, sudden deactivations, and unsafe working conditions. These concerns highlight what many see as an urgent need for collective bargaining rights in an industry that plays a significant role in Illinois’ transportation network.
“The Chicago press conference launched a two-day statewide push for rideshare driver rights,” said SEIU Local 1 President Genie Kastrup. “It’s Legislation that finally creates a real pathway for drivers to form a union and have a real voice.”
After the event in Chicago, the campaign continued with activities at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.
“This legislation is about fairness, dignity, and respect for the people who keep Illinois moving every single day,” said IAM Union Midwest Territory Special Representative Ronnie Gonzalez. “Rideshare drivers have been treated as disposable for far too long. This bill gives drivers a real voice and a real seat at the table.”
Hundreds of rideshare drivers gathered at the Capitol urging lawmakers to support measures that would allow them to form unions.
Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam and State Rep. Yolonda Morris are sponsoring the proposed law, known as the Illinois Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act. Rep. Morris spoke alongside coalition partners in Springfield about why these rights are needed.
“More than 100,000 rideshare drivers in Illinois keep our state moving, yet they don’t have the basic right to organize,” saidIllinoisState Representative and Bill Sponsor Yolanda Morris. “The Illinois Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act would give them a voice on the job to form a union, bargain collectively, and fight for fair pay, safety, and respect.”
If passed, this legislation would establish procedures for forming unions among rideshare workers, provide protections against retaliation or discrimination when organizing efforts occur, set up sectoral bargaining frameworks with voluntary dues structures, prohibit company-dominated unions, introduce representation fees, and guarantee opportunities for driver involvement within their union.
Prior to the Springfield press conference, participants met directly with legislators advocating for improved pay rates along with safety standards on behalf of all app-based gig workers in Illinois. “Drivers are done being ignored,” said Lenny Sanchez, an Illinois rideshare driver and organizing leader. “We’re organizing not just for ourselves, but for every driver who deserves transparency, fair pay, and protection. The IAM and SEIU have been working with us for years and they are definitely the answer for us becoming union.”
Despite contributing significantly to local transit by connecting residents throughout the state each year—and supporting what has become a multibillion-dollar industry—rideshare workers report ongoing challenges including unstable earnings conditions without mechanisms available currently through which disputes can be resolved between themselves & companies operating via apps.
