No Rain at the Labor Day Parade
- Jen McMillin
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
🌞
Hi friends—welcome back to Sunshine Strategies Radio!I’m Jen McMillin, your host and the founder of Sunshine Strategies, a nonprofit supporting families and strengthening communities across central Illinois.
If you’re new here, this podcast (and newsletter!) focuses on news Central Illinois families need to know—with a dash of my daily work at Sunshine sprinkled in.
🎭 A Parade, Authenticity, and Tootsie Rolls
This week, I had a whole message ready about authenticity and vulnerability. And maybe I’ll circle back to that next time. But today? Something else is pressing on my heart.
So let’s just imagine we already had the conversation about authenticity being absent in American politics, and how that absence has bred distrust at every level. That frees me up to be authentic with you right now.
On Monday, my family went to our local Labor Day parade.This year, I decided to just enjoy the day with my kids—no float, no group—just being “mom on the sidelines.”
But, being who I am, I couldn’t resist stopping to say hello to my labor friends. Thankfully, Lizzo got her shoes on without too much fuss, and we made it there early.
Walking the lineup, I was greeted with hugs, hellos, and “how are yous.” For a little while, chatting with my friend John (one of the marshals), I almost forgot about the political mess swirling in our country.
And then…up walks a Republican.
He looked a little lost, searching for his float. We pointed him down to the end (fitting, right?) and off he went. I turned to John and asked:
“Were the Republicans actually brave enough to sign up this year?”
I’ve thought that question in my head plenty of times. But this year, it slipped out.
And can you blame me? The GOP has spent years making life harder for working families—pushing right-to-work laws, blocking access to healthcare and family supports, stirring up chaos at town halls. Many of them are in hiding from their own constituents. Yet there they were, riding along to “celebrate” Labor Day.
I’ll admit—part of me wanted to find my elusive congress-critter and demand answers. Another part wanted to find some stale candy to chuck at their float. My family, bless them, reminded me neither option counted as “kind.”
Still, I’m writing this on Thursday and I’m still angry. To see folks who fight against workers parading as if cloaked in labor’s honor? That’s not irony. That’s insult.
But here’s what I had to remind myself: the parade doesn’t belong to them.It belongs to the workers—the people who build, repair, deliver, teach, and keep this nation running. Republicans may ride on a float for a photo-op, but the dignity of labor is not theirs to borrow. It’s eternal.
And that raises a question:👉 Should political parties who don’t stand up for working families be allowed in parades meant to celebrate labor?
Maybe it’s time organizers take a stand:
✅ Require participants to affirm a commitment to honoring labor and working families
✅ Prioritize unions, schools, nonprofits, and civic clubs who embody the spirit of the day
✅ And if politicians want in? Let them prove they’ve got more than a staged smile and a bag of candy
Because Labor Day isn’t about empty suits on borrowed floats. It’s about the people who do the work.
(And for the record, I still have that stash of suspiciously hard Tootsie Rolls. Don’t tempt me.)
📰 News Families Should Know (Aug 25–Sept 4, 2025)
📍 Local Highlights
📚 Back-to-School Stress CheckCentral Illinois schools are back in session, and mental health professionals are urging families to watch for signs of anxiety in kids. You’re not alone—resources are out there. Read more →
🏫 Lincoln Welcomes Monarch Youth CenterA new rehabilitative facility for youth in custody has opened in Lincoln. The Monarch Youth Center is a hopeful step forward in juvenile justice. WICS coverage →
🌆 Statewide Developments
👶 New Law: Help for Premature InfantsIllinois hospitals must now connect parents of severely premature babies with early support services—reducing long-term therapy costs. The 19th →
🏳️🌈 Legal Hotline for LGBTQ+ ResidentsIllinois launched IL Pride Connect, a free statewide legal helpline offering bilingual support for healthcare, housing, discrimination, and benefits. Them →
💸 School Funding WinAG Kwame Raoul secured the release of $219 million in federal education funds by Oct. 3—vital for after-school programs, ESL instruction, and workforce development. IL AG press release →
🗳️ Constitutional Redistricting Drive RevivesBill Daley and Ray LaHood are pushing a bipartisan amendment for an independent redistricting commission—less gerrymandering, more fair maps. Illinois Newsroom →
🇺🇸 National & Federal
🚔 Illinois Pushes Back on Trump’s Guard ProposalFormer President Trump floated sending the National Guard to Chicago. Illinois leaders—Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, AG Raoul—called it unconstitutional. The Guardian →
🏛️ Rep. Nikki Budzinski on the MoveOur IL-13 Congresswoman is touting wins for infrastructure, veterans, water quality in Bethalto, and pushing to get Cahokia Mounds National Park status. The Telegraph →
📊 Quick Recap
Level | Headliner | Why It Matters for Families |
Local | School stress support & youth center | Mental health & safety |
State | Infant law & LGBTQ+ legal hotline | Protects vulnerable families |
State | $219M school funds released | Boosts local schools |
Federal | Guard proposal pushback & Budzinski’s wins | Accountability & investment |
🌻 Final Word
Families, you should feel informed and empowered. From newborn support to legal protections and new education dollars, Illinois is moving forward—but so are the challenges.
Stay close, stay vocal, and remember: local matters, but so does federal.
Until next time—stay safe, stay informed, and don’t forget to have a little fun. 💛
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