In a tradition of celebrating the achievements of working families and celebrating everyday people in Decatur, Illinois – Mid-Illinois Labor Council, a charter of the AFL-CIO, is hosting the annual Labor Day Parade at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 7, 2026 in downtown Decatur.
     The parade will feature Grand Marshal Andy Clark and labor unions from throughout the Macon County and surrounding areas. The theme is “Celebrating 250 Years of Hope & Solidarity”. The public is invited to join us to watch the parade.

Andy Clark

     Mid-Illinois Labor Council is happy to announce that Andy Clark, a retired member of United Steelworkers Local 7-0838, has been chosen as the Grand Marshal for the 2026 Labor Day parade! Andy has been a steadfast advocate for labor rights and community service, leaving an enduring mark on our community. With decades of experience in leadership roles, he has served as an Executive Board member and Vice President of the Mid-Illinois Labor Council, formerly Decatur Trades & Labor Assembly. He also held many leadership positions in his local union before recently retiring with 42 years of service at Mueller Company. Andy and his wife Stacey, a retired AFSCME 612 member, are residents of Boody, Illinois. Together, they represent the hardworking men and women who make our labor and our communities strong.
     Other events include a “Picnic in the Park” immediately following the parade which will be held in Fairview Park. The event is free to sponsoring organizations and costs $25 for the general public. The fee will purchase a wristband good for food, refreshments, treats, and games for the kids.
     Working families strive to keep our community strong. This will be demonstrated at 1:00 PM, as labor unions present $18,000 in grants from the We Are One Community fund to 22 local charities. Those charities being granted more than $1,000 will attend to receive the ceremonial check. The other charities will receive their checks in the mail the week of Labor Day. The We Are One Community fund is a donor-advised charitable giving fund for working families housed at The Community Foundation which gives 100% of all individual donations directly to local charity.
     “Our Labor Day parade will spotlight local unions and celebrate the important work they do each day. As we mark America’s 250th year, we want to remind everyone that working women and men are a vital asset to our community, and being in a union makes it even better,” stated John Warner, President of the Mid-Illinois Labor Council.

Labor Day Events:

10:00 AM: Labor Day Parade in downtown Decatur (lineup at 8:30 AM on Franklin Street)

11:30 AM: Labor Day Picnic (cost is $25 per person or free to union members) at Fairview Park

1:00 PM: We Are One Community $18,000 in grant distributions to local charities at Fairview Park.

Working Families Grant $18,000 To Local Charity To Celebrate Labor Day 2026 Through ‘We Are One Community Fund’

     We Are One Community, the charitable giving fund of working families, will be distributing $18,000 in grants to 22 local charities to celebrate Labor Day 2026. The charities will receive their awards at the annual Labor Day Picnic following the Labor Day Parade on September 7th. The presentation will be done at 1:00 PM under the large pavilion at Fairview Park in Decatur.
Mid-Illinois Labor Council and Decatur Building & Construction Trades Council joined forces in 2011 to create the We Are One Community fund, which promotes collective giving and philanthropy among working families. The donor-advised fund is housed at The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, and the advisory board commits to giving 100% of all individual donations go directly to local services. They can do this because local unions cover the 1% administration fee and interest is reinvested to the fund.
     We Are One Community grant distribution is just another way that unions add to the value of our community. This year’s largest charity recipients will be awarded presentation checks at the Labor Day picnic. They include:
$2,000: Meals on Wheels $1,500: Good Samaritan Inn
$1,500: Youth Advocate/Webster Cantrell Hall
$1,500: Shemilah’s Outreach Center
$1,500: Big Brothers / Big Sisters
$1,000: Boys & Girls Club
$1,000: CASA
$1,000: St. Mary’s Hospice

     An additional $7,000 in designations will be mailed to the following agencies: Child First Center ($500), Boy Scouts ($500), Girl Scouts ($500), Decatur Family YMCA ($500), Old Kings Orchard Community Center ($500), John C. Ellis Lodge #17 ($500), Humane Society of Decatur & Macon County ($500), Salvation Army ($500), Special Olympics ($500), DOVE ($500), Decatur Cancer Care Specialists Charitable Fund ($500), Community Development Shockwave Youth Group ($500), Midwest Hawks of Illinois ($500), and New Life Church of God Back To School Project ($500).
     In addition to community partnerships, the distribution of grants will kick off a new year of giving to the We Are One Community fund. Local unions will be encouraged to host fundraising campaigns and promote payroll deduction with employers. Donations collected in the 2026 calendar year will be granted on Labor Day 2027.
     All donations are tax-deductible. To contribute to the charitable fund of working families, mail to: We Are One Community, c/o Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, 101 South Main St., Suite 400, Decatur, IL 62523.
     “LIKE” us on Facebook.com/ weareonecommunity. For more information, contact We Are One Community Chair – Amy Rueff, 217-433-5126.