The unions haven’t been representing anything but far left political causes...
In the case of Illinois I don't really see what the workers get for union dues. The state is broke and workers are lucky to get any raises at all. Most of these people have civil service seniority protection. If there are budget problems the low person on the totem pole is out. If there is a disciplinary problem, the union is unlikely to save the worker. They may drag out the firing a little longer, but the outcome is the same.