Chicago and Illinois are the home of many labor struggles that have shaped the nation and the world. The stories of the work and workers.

The ILHS research center offers one of the largest collections of labor books in the area and also primary sources and artifacts related to the Chicago labor history. Interviews may be available as well. Students are asked to contact the office to make an appointment, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 312-663-4107. While we do not have evening or weekend hours, we are open many days when school is out.

In support of student work, the Illinois Labor History Society offers two cash prizes at the State Expo (one for each division) and also a prize at the Metro High School Finals.

Some ideas to consider for the 2011 Theme: "Debates and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences"

• Haymarket Tragedy
• Pardoning of the Haymarket
• Pullman Strike and Reformers
• Craft Unions vs Industrial Unions
• IWW—One Big Union
• Union Responses to Women Workers and Title 7
• Taft-Hartley Act
• Integrated Unions
• Responses to Technology