Election 2022 results: Illinois voters weigh in on Worker's Rights Amendment to state constitution
Evanston approves ranked choice voting; Cook County forest preserve tax hike approved
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Illinois voters decided issues in referendums on Election Day.
While many have voted in favor of amending the Illinois constitution, to guarantee workers' rights to bargain collectively, the final result is still unclear Wednesday.
With 88% of precincts reporting, the Worker's Rights Amendment had more than two million votes in favor, compared to 1.4 million voting no.
The vote for constitutional amendments requires either 60% of votes cast on the ballot measure itself or a simple majority of all of those voting in the election.
The fate of the ballot measure is being closely watched in Illinois and beyond, as it will gauge public support for the labor movement, which has lost ground for years in conservative-led states.
"From day one, the Vote Yes for Workers' Rights campaign has been based on the simple idea that every Illinois worker deserves better," Tim Drea, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO and Vote Yes for Workers' Rights chair said. "Better pay, stronger benefits, and safer workplaces don't just help workers thrive; they strengthen our state and keep us all safe.
Unions and pro-industry groups say the amendment could signal a new chapter in the struggle over workers' rights as U.S. union ranks have grown as everyone from coffee shop baristas to warehouse workers seeks to organize.
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Business groups and conservatives opposed the measure, saying they think it will drive up taxes, give unions too much power, lead to more strikes and prompt companies to leave for more industry-friendly states.
In Evanston, voters decided to change elections to ranked choice, by more than 80 percent.
RELATED: How does ranked choice voting work?
Voters will rank their candidates in order of preference, then have the option to rank additional candidates.
Evanston will be the first community in the state to hold elections like this.
Cook County residents also voted in favor of a tax hike to support the forest preserve.
