On this Labor Day, we celebrate the achievements of working people in this country. Building things, providing services, protecting each other, standing together to lift us up as a country.

We have made progress by putting aside our differences and standing together as one.

What a difference one year can make.

The last few years of Labor Days have been overshadowed in Illinois by political division, finger-pointing and financial paralysis due to the rigid ideology of scapegoating working families.

But elections do make a difference and our votes paved the way for historic changes and a path to economic prosperity.

Following years of budget hostage-taking that caused deep pain and distress on Illinoisans and our institutions, one election and one legislative session helped turn the corner.

In less than one year, historic legislation was passed – including funding the largest public works construction plan in state history, tapping new revenue sources like gaming expansion and adult-use cannabis, and enacting a fair and fully funded budget. Legislators even looked to fix future budgets by putting a fair tax question in front of voters next year – a constitutional amendment proposal that would force the wealthy to pay a more equitable share of state income taxes, shifting the burden off the middle class.

These measures, and others, were years in the making and some believed unachievable. However, voters spoke and our elected officials listened. Led by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and legislators from all areas of the state and across the political divide, our elected officials came together and found solutions.

But now, thanks to politicians from all across the state and the political divide, we changed the narrative and put Illinois on the path to economic recovery. It wasn’t easy and it took give and take from all involved.

There are those that want to split up the state and divide our people. This is corrosive and destructive. It will ultimately weaken our state and everyone in it.

We have to stand up to those who want to divide and pull us apart. We only need to point to the achievements working families have accomplished over time, and our politicians from both parties achieved this past spring.

“E pluribus Unum” is the motto on the Great Seal of the United States. It translates to “Out of many, one.”

We are not going to solve our challenges by separating ourselves from people that we may not agree with. Instead we need to use the tools at our disposal to work together to make our society better for everyone. Make a better argument for your point of view. Find common ground. Take a debate public on the merits of an issue confronting the people. Build up – don’t tear down.