GALESBURG, Ill. — A longtime Illinois railroader and labor leader will lead one of the nation’s oldest Labor Day traditions when the Galesburg Labor Day Parade steps off Monday, Sept. 7.

Bob Guy, Illinois State Director for the SMART Transportation Division, has been selected as Grand Marshal of the 2026 parade, an honor recognizing more than three decades of work representing railroad employees and advocating for organized labor and working families.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. along Main Street in downtown Galesburg. Hosted by the Galesburg Trades & Labor Assembly, it is recognized as the nation’s oldest continuous Labor Day parade and annually draws union members, families, marching bands and community organizations.

Guy has participated in the Galesburg parade alongside SMART-TD members for more than a decade, making his selection particularly meaningful.

“Being recognized as Grand Marshal of the Galesburg Labor Day parade is truly humbling,” Guy said. “It’s always a highlight of mine to join them as they and other unions and organizations show off their pride in the work they do for their families and community alike.”

Guy, a Lincoln native, began his railroad career in 1994 after following his grandfather’s advice and hiring out as a brakeman for Southern Pacific. He worked the former St. Louis segment of the historic Chicago & Alton Railroad main line connecting Chicago, Joliet, Bloomington-Normal, Springfield and St. Louis.

His involvement in organized labor followed soon afterward. Guy was elected legislative representative for UTU Local 234 in 1996 and later became Alternate State Director. By 2004, he was working in Springfield to represent railroad employees and their families.

Guy became Assistant Legislative Director and was elevated to State Legislative Director in 2009 after then-director Joe Szabo was confirmed as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.

During his tenure, Guy has helped advance several major transportation and labor initiatives in Illinois, including expanded state-supported Amtrak service and passage of the Railroad Employees Medical Treatment Act and Safe Walkways Act.

He has served as an Illinois AFL-CIO vice president since 2009 and participated in organized labor’s successful campaign for the Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment.

Guy’s transportation work has also included service on the Northern Illinois Public Transit Task Force and the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission, where he represented Illinois’ private sector and was reelected chairman in 2019.

He continues to advocate on rail safety and workers’ rights issues in Springfield and Washington. More recently, Guy has helped lead SMART-TD Illinois’ response to concerns surrounding CSX Transportation cutbacks at Barr Yard in Chicago and their potential impact on experienced railroad workers, freight service and the Chicago rail network.

Guy has lived in Springfield since 1999 with his wife of 27 years, Cindy. They have two children, Taylor and Bobby, and two grandchildren, Bralynn and Blaine.

Guy said those family connections reflect a central purpose of organized labor: helping workers build secure careers while protecting their families and futures.

“Being a union member and leader means being part of a larger effort that fights every day for the betterment and protection of its hard-working essential members,” Guy said, “and being part of an organization that is dedicated to supporting its members from their first day of work, to the very last.”