Question: do you have to join a union in illinois

title: Right-to-work law
text: Opponents such as Richard Kahlenberg have argued that while it is an effective political slogan , the phrase `` right - to - work '' is a misnomer because the lack of such a law does not deprive anyone of the right to work . The Taft -- Hartley Act ( 1947 ) outlawed the union - only `` closed shops '' which did deprive people of the right to work , and the `` right to work '' does n't eliminate a worker 's option of joining a work or labor union . A right - to - work law simply `` gives employees the right to be free riders -- to benefit from collective bargaining without paying for it '' . Under labor laws in the United States , the union as the exclusive collective bargaining agent has a duty of fair representation for all persons in the bargaining unit , including those who choose not to be members and pay dues . Thus , in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education , the Supreme Court of the United States permitted agency fees so that employees in the public sector could be required to pay for the costs of representation , even as they opted not to be a member . The right to challenge the fees must include the right to have it heard by an impartial fact finder . Freedom