Illinois Marks Workers' Memorial Day

CHICAGO—The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is marking Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28 which honors workers killed, injured or whose health has been affected while on the job, by participating in various memorial services across the state.

Director Joseph Costigan and the members of the Safety Inspection and Education Division (SIED) are joining workers and families as they remember loved ones who died from injuries or illnesses from the workplace.  The Department is participating in events commemorating Workers’ Memorial Day in Alton, Bloomington, Decatur, Rockford, Peoria, Quad Cities and Springfield.

“Today we honor those individuals who worked tirelessly to better the lives of their families and communities but tragically died as a result of doing their job,” said Director Costigan.  “Workers’ Memorial Day reminds us of the value of workers’ lives and the importance of maintaining healthy and safe workplaces.”

April 28 is a significant day in occupational safety and health history and is recognized internationally.  In 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened their doors with a mission to protect workers.  The Department has partnered with OSHA as a State Plan to protect public-sector workers.  SIED investigated 20 fatalities in the workplace in 2011 and conducts thousands of inspections yearly in the public sector.  More information on the Illinois State Plan can be found at www.state.il.us/agency/idol.