McLean County Labor History

John Penn was named a McLean County Museum of History "History Maker" on June 18, 2024. Shown here with grandson Tim Ryan and daughter Shawn Eiker.

John Penn named a "History Maker"

19 Jun, 2024 Read More >

Laborers (LIUNA) 362's 1919 charter as "Hod Carriers & Common Laborers Union"

McLean County Labor History

Laborers (LIUNA) Local 362 centennial history, 1919-2019

30 Oct, 2022 Read More >

Laborers 362's Paul Penn was in the first group of "History Makers" honnored by the McLean County Museum of History in 2012. Mike Matejka photo

McLean County Labor History

Paul Penn a "History Maker"

30 Oct, 2022 Read More >

Recent

Bloomington iron molders in their full regalia, early 20th century, McLean County Museum of History image

Illinois' 1920 Labor Day Celebrations

With union banners flying, dressed in starched shirts and blouses and wearing union emblems, Illinois workers marched on Labor Day a century ago.

21, Oct, 2022

Illinois National Guard troops' machine gun emplacement at Bloomington's railroad shops, 1922

1922 Rail Shops strike broken by federal injunction

The term “union busting” was not used in 1922, but an epic national railroad strike that year brought deaths, beatings, broke union contracts and an incredibly repressive Chicago court injunction.

21, Oct, 2022