HR0843 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0843 LRB104 21647 LAW 37169 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The annual observance of Workers Memorial Day falls on April 28, 2026, a day dedicated to honoring those who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or developed chronic illnesses due to preventable workplace hazards; and

WHEREAS, April 28 also commemorates the 55th anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1971, which established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and

WHEREAS, These agencies were created as a result of the tireless advocacy of working Americans and the labor movement, which fought to ensure that every worker has the fundamental right to a safe job and a workplace free from recognized hazards; and

WHEREAS, Despite these foundational protections, the current landscape of workplace safety is dire, with more than 380 workers killed and more than 8,600 suffering injury or illness daily due to preventable working conditions; and

WHEREAS, Federal oversight is at an historic low, with the fewest number of OSHA inspectors in the agency's 55-year history, resulting in a reality where it would take 191 years for the federal OSHA to inspect every workplace once, and where Congress allows only $3.85 per worker in funding for safety protection; and

WHEREAS, Black, Latino, and immigrant workers continue to face higher job fatality rates, disproportionate exposure to hazards, and increased risks of retaliation, highlighting the urgent need for equitable safety standards; and

WHEREAS, Workers are currently facing accelerated attacks, including the removal of safety coverage, the weakening of silica protections for mineworkers, and the erosion of workplace safety processes in order to prioritize corporate profit and executive compensation over human life; and

WHEREAS, Workers have earned the right to safe workplaces that protect them against heat illness, workplace violence, and toxic chemical exposures; and

WHEREAS, All workers, regardless of race, background, or immigration status, deserve to have a voice on the job and the right to advocate for their safety without fear of retaliation; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 28, 2026 as Workers Memorial Day in the State of Illinois, and we mourn those lost to unsafe working conditions; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Illinois AFL-CIO as a symbol of our commitment to safe jobs for all working people.