BARS for IL

We are a federal 527 political action committee dedicated to empowering bartenders and service staff across Illinois—with a sharp focus on the Chicago metropolitan area. We are fighting for unionization, collective bargaining, and federal legislative advocacy.

Our Mission: From the Bar Top to the Ballot Box

We believe that the workers who drive Chicago’s world-class hospitality industry deserve more than just tips; they deserve the structural protections, healthcare, and wage security that only a union can guarantee. Our mission is to bridge the gap between local service industry struggles and federal policy solutions.

Core Goals for 2026

Our strategy is two-pronged: shifting the culture on the ground and shifting the power in D.C.

• Federal Legislative Pressure: We advocate for the passage and enforcement of the PRO Act and other federal labor standards that make it easier for "at-will" employees in the hospitality sector to organize without fear of retaliation.
• Chicago Union Density: We aim to provide the legal and organizational resources necessary to help at least 50 independent bars in the Chicago area begin the formal unionization process by the end of the 2026 cycle.
• Political Accountability: We identify and support federal candidates who refuse corporate PAC money from anti-labor hospitality groups and instead prioritize the Service Worker Bill of Rights.

How Funds Will Be Spent

Transparency is a core value for us. Funds raised through ActBlue will be allocated toward the following high-impact areas:

1. Grassroots Organizing & Outreach

A significant portion of our budget goes toward "Boots on the Ground." This includes hiring local organizers to meet bartenders where they are, providing educational materials on labor rights, and hosting "Know Your Rights" workshops across Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.

2. Digital Advocacy & Awareness

To win in 2026, we have to win the narrative. Funds will support targeted digital ad campaigns highlighting the disparity between hospitality profits and worker benefits, and social media outreach to mobilize younger service workers.

3. Federal Candidate Support

As a 527 PAC, we will make strategic contributions to federal candidates who have a proven track record of supporting labor unions and who pledge to fight for the hospitality industry's specific needs (e.g., ending the sub-minimum tipped wage at a federal level).

4. Legal & Compliance Resources

Union-busting is, unfortunately, a booming business. We provide our affiliated organizing committees with access to legal counsel to navigate NLRB filings and protect workers against unfair labor practices during the election phase.