When Uber driver Mark Balentine missed work due to illness last summer, he lost out on both income and a company bonus. After completing 140 rides for an $1,800 incentive that was confirmed in his app, Balentine said the payment never came. He contacted Uber, but it took nearly two months to receive a response. The company attributed the missing money to a system glitch and told him nothing could be done.
“That’s the moment I knew something was really wrong,” Balentine said. “They can just take your money, blame a glitch and move on. We don’t have a voice. That’s why we need a union — and why we need it now.”
Balentine’s experience was highlighted as rideshare drivers from across Illinois met in Chicago to advocate for legislation that would allow more than 100,000 Uber and Lyft drivers statewide to unionize and collectively bargain.
The Illinois Drivers Alliance, supported by SEIU Local 1 and the International Association of Machinists, introduced the proposal at a press conference before traveling to Springfield to meet with lawmakers. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Ram Villivalam and state Rep. Yolonda Morris.
If passed, the law would establish a legal framework enabling drivers—who are currently classified as independent contractors—to organize at the state level and negotiate pay, benefits, and working conditions with app-based companies. Federal labor law does not permit these drivers to form unions under their current employment status.
The legislation would not change drivers’ classification but would permit collective bargaining across the industry—a structure already adopted in states like Massachusetts and California.
Senator Villivalam said during the press conference that the bill aims to give drivers “a formal voice in decisions that affect their livelihoods,” particularly regarding pay rates, safety concerns, and app deactivations.
Drivers report declining earnings even as ride fares increase for passengers. David Crane, another local driver who attended Tuesday’s event, stated he earns about half of what he did when he began driving in 2018 despite spending significantly more hours on the road.
“I can be out there 12-16 hours a day,” Crane said. “The money keeps going down, but the work keeps going up.”
Crane recounted being locked out of his Uber account four rides short of qualifying for a $300 weekend bonus after logging off due to exhaustion. When prompted later for identity verification by Uber’s app, his photo was rejected; this resulted in being barred from driving for 24 hours—costing him his bonus earnings.
“That money was going right back into my car,” Crane said. “Maintenance, gas, tires — all of it comes out of our pocket.”
Other speakers raised concerns about job safety risks and sudden deactivations without clear explanations or adequate options for appeal.
Under the proposed law, if enough drivers support forming a union it could then negotiate with rideshare companies over issues such as compensation structures, benefits packages, safety standards, dispute resolution processes—including appeals against deactivation—and other working conditions. Any resulting agreement would require approval by participating drivers through a vote and oversight from a state agency before implementation.
Uber spokesman Josh Gold responded via email stating that while Uber has not reviewed the bill yet “the devil is in the details.” Gold indicated that Uber expects ongoing cooperation with lawmakers regarding measures allowing independent contractors opportunities for organization.
The legislative push follows increased scrutiny of how companies like Uber operate within Chicago and throughout Illinois.
Last year Block Club Chicago reported on nearly $1.8 million in wrongful rider charges due to improper application of downtown congestion fees outside permitted hours—a mistake attributed by Uber to another system glitch—which led to city council hearings and an official investigation. Drivers say they bore customer frustrations without seeing any benefit from these extra charges.
This reporting contributed momentum toward renewed calls for stricter regulation of rideshare operations—including greater transparency around fare calculations—and helped spur continued advocacy efforts aimed at improving conditions for gig workers statewide.
Organizers note this week’s campaign builds upon years of grassroots activity across Illinois following unsuccessful attempts at increasing driver pay locally within Chicago.
In June organizers announced an agreement with Uber not opposing statewide bargaining legislation—paving way for introduction of this new proposal.
For Balentine and others involved in organizing efforts such as these—the issue remains pressing:
“We’re the drivers. We’re out there every day dealing with low wages, unsafe rides and no protection,” Balentine said. “Why not give us the right to help ourselves?”
