August 10, 2017
Chicago (August 10)—The 2017 Illinois schedule of Labor Day events has been announced. Celebrations, picnics and parades are once again scheduled for the holiday weekend across Illinois and will highlight and honor the dedication, past and present, of the American worker.
“Labor Day and the whole holiday weekend is historically a time to celebrate and honor the American worker for their dedication and devotion to their craft,” said SMART-TD Illinois Legislative Director Robert W. Guy.
“It’s a time when all workers, regardless of union affiliation or membership, should feel appreciated,” Guy said. “And a time when we should definitely honor those who came before us, who sacrificed so much so we can benefit today.”
“It’s those very benefits that some would like to take away,” Guy said. “That’s why it’s important to join in these events so that you can feel the unity that it takes to defend our benefits and to protect them from those individuals who’d like to take them away.”
“Our members, like other union members, are in the cross hairs of the political elite,” Guy said. “And it will take a joint effort to fight back against those people and the anti-worker sentiment that they share.”
“It really is a wonderful holiday weekend and one that should be celebrated by the entire Labor movement,” Guy said. “I hope our members can find the time to participate in an event near home and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with knowing how hard they work to provide for their families.”
Labor Day 2017 – Illinois Labor Sponsored Events
AURORA Sept. 9 – “Run with The Lion 5K” – This is a 3.1 mile fun run for runners of all ages, hosted by Painters District Council No. 30. The event includes a 5K run/walk, a one mile race for children, music and entertainment from our PATCH lion mascot, and more. All proceeds to benefit the PATCH Foundation, which provides financial support to organizations benefiting children in need throughout our local community. Location: Blackberry Farm, 100 S. Barnes Road, Aurora, IL. Time: 8:30 a.m. Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for children. Register online at www.pdc30.com/5k Contact: 630-377-2120 or email PATCH@pdc30.com
BELLEVILLE August 31 – Southwestern Illinois CLC annual Labor Awards Dinner Location: Panorama Banquet Center (downstairs), Bel-Air Bowl, 200 S. Belt West, Belleville, IL 62220 Time: Doors open 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m. Cost: $25 per person in advance $30 at the door for dinner, Sponsor ad book $75 ½ 4 ½ X 3 ¾ page & $150 full page 4 ½ X 7 1/2 Contact: Charles Kaemmerer, Jr. at 618-979-4953 or Terry Knoth at 618-233-8441.
Sept. 4 – Labor Day Parade & Picnic Location: Parade is in downtown Belleville: lineup starts in 4th block of South 1st St., and will end at Hough Park with the annual picnic. Parade & picnic open to union members and their families ONLY and includes food, beverages and rides and games for kids. Time: Parade – 8:00 a.m. lineup, 10:00 a.m. start / picnic – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Contact: Bill Thurston, 618-758-3513 Special Notice: NO PETS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED AT PARADE OR PICNIC.
BLOOMINGTON – NORMAL Sept. 4– Labor Day Parade followed by a dinner in Miller Park for union members and their families. Theme: Union Labor: Working for Community Progress Location: Downtown Bloomington – starting at Front and Roosevelt Streets Time: Parade – 9 a.m. line up, 10 a.m. start / Lunch – 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. $5 chicken dinner Contact: Ronn Morehead 309-828-8813 or Mike Matejka 309-827-3934. Parade registration form is at www.bntrades.org
CHAMPAIGN – URBANA Sept. 4 – Labor Day Parade followed by a picnic in the park. Theme is “Labor Built America… Without Labor, Nothing Prospers” Location: Downtown Urbana – starting at Lincoln Square Mall and ends at Prairie Park with picnic Time: Parade staging begins at 8:30 a.m. and begins at 10 a.m. A picnic will immediately follow at Prairie Park (1202 E. Washington) in Urbana. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Entertainment includes games for children, live band, and guest speakers. Contact: Matt Kelly at 217-621-5201 or Frank Rubenacker at 217-493-4239.
CHARLESTON Aug. 26 – Mid-Eastern Illinois CLC Labor Picnic, with food, drinks and live music. Location: Fox Ridge State Park, brick pavilion, (8 miles south of Charleston on Rt. 130). Time: Noon until 4 p.m. Contact: Charles Delman, 217-348-7786 or Dan Kimball, 217-234-4609.
DECATUR Sept. 4 – Labor Day Parade Location: Downtown Decatur, line up on South Franklin Street at Wood Street Time: 8 a.m. lineup, 10 a.m. start. Contact: Jennifer Huckstep or Bill Francisco, 217-428-3013.
Sept. 4 – Picnic In The Park Location: Fairview Park in Decatur, IL Time: Immediately following parade until – 2 p.m. Comment: This is the 5th annual combined picnic of all labor unions in Macon County, expecting about 2,000 participants. Free to union sponsors, $20 for general public. Contact: Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923.
GURNEE Aug. 22 – Labor Day dinner hosted by Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor. Location: Lake County Federation of Teachers Local 504 in Gurnee, IL Comment: Dinner will follow a brief meeting at 7 p.m. Contact: Patrick Statter, 847-294-5064.
MADISON COUNTY
Alton Aug. 23th & 26th – James Stanley Charity Softball Tournament Contact: B. Dean Webb, 618-259-8558 or Terry Biggs, 618-258-9800.
Aug. 26th – Labor Celebration Parade and Picnic- kids games Location: Parade lineup begins at 8:00 a.m. in the “pit” of the Alton Middle School, Collage Ave. Time: Parade starts at 10 a.m. / picnic for union members and their family –following parade at Gordon Moore Park, Alton, IL on hwy 140. Contact: B. Dean Webb, 618-259-8558.
Granite City Sept. 4 – Labor Day Parade and Picnic – Live music and petting zoo.
PEORIA Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade with a theme “It’s the U and I in UNION that makes us STRONG” Location: Parade – Downtown Peoria – Free Bus rides provided by ATU Local #416 and Citylink from the Riverfront to downtown Peoria for the parade. Labor Day Party – on the Riverfront at parade’s end. There will be food music and fun for all! Time: Parade starts at 10 a.m. Contact: Michael Everett, 309-645-4901.
QUAD CITIES Sept. 4th – 34th Annual Labor Day Parade Quad Cities Celebration 2017 Grand Marshal – Randy Donnelly, Retired AFGE Location: East Moline Time: Lineup at 9 a.m. at John Deere Harvester Works parking lot at 1100 13th Avenue in East Moline. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. and proceeds along 15th Avenue. Contact: Tyler Power, 319-654-5894 Website: http://quadcityfed.wordpress.com/labordayparade
ROCKFORD
Sept. 2 – Pageant in the categories of Princess, Young Miss, Miss and Mrs. (This year’s winners will be crowned immediately following the Labor Day Parade on the main stage.)
Sept. 4 – Labor Day Parade with the theme of “Right to Work Hurts All.” Time: 10:00 a.m., lineup at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Rockford Special Note: A float contest for the unions will be held at 7:30 a.m. and winners will be announced and ribbons placed on the floats prior to the start of the parade. Contact: Bill Corey, 815-968-1411, rulpresident@yahoo.com
Sept. 4 – We Are One Picnic – This is an all-union picnic immediately following the parade at Davis Park in downtown Rockford. The picnic will go until 2:00 p.m. and features live music by Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts. Meal tickets are $6 in advance (or $9 at the gate) and beer tickets are $2.50 in advance (or $5 at the gate). This is a family-friendly event with free games and activities for kids! To reserve tickets in advance, contact Gina Meeks at 815-986-4822 or ginam@unitedwayrrv.org This year, the first annual Labor Day Car Show will take place during the We Are One Picnic. For more information or to register your vehicle for this year’s Car Show, please contact Jack Cadwell Productions at (815) 494-001.
SPRINGFIELD Sept. 5 – Labor Day Parade Location: Downtown Springfield – Jefferson Street to 5th, 5th to Capitol, Capitol to 6th, 6th to Washington Time: 9 a.m. line-up at Horrace Mann parking lot, 10 a.m. start Contact: Andrew Spiro, 217-416-8793.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Aug. 25 through Sept. 4 – DuQuoin Illinois State Fair Labor Pavilion will be open each day of the fair and is sponsored by The Egyptian Building Trades Twilight Parade will be held at 6 p.m. on August 25th for union members wishing to walk with the Union float(s) – Please arrive early Labor Day Picnic Celebration will be held on September 4, starting at 11 a.m. on the North side of the Fairgrounds. (Free barbeque and music for union members and their families). Location of all events will be at the DuQuoin State Fair Grounds, just off Route 51 in DuQuoin, IL. Contact for more information: Jason Woolard, 618-932-2102.
