By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

GURNEE — Fatigue from ongoing chemotherapy treatments, combined with battling the Chicago Public School administration with contract negotiations kept Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis from accepting a recent award in person — but it didn’t stiefel the love felt for the woman who leads the nearly 30,000 teachers and educational support personnel working in the Chicago Public Schools.

Lewis was the recipient of the Person of the Year award, given by the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. This is the 20th year the council has given this award.

Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lewis

“I know Karen very well, and let me tell you — this is deeply meaningful to her,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, who accepted on Lewis’ behalf.

Visibly emotional while speaking to guests at the Sept. 24 event in Gurnee, Montgomery held back tears while discussing what the award means to Lewis. “I’m going to tell her the kind of reception you gave her. And that will mean a lot to her,” he said. “I spoke with Karen before coming here, and she wanted to say: ‘Tell them I’m doing much better, but we’re in negotiations. I have limited ability to drive and to speak after fooling with Rahm’s minions [CPS functionaries],’” which drew applause and laughter from guests.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery accepts an award Sept. 24 on behalf of Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis for Person of the Year, given to Lewis by the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

During a run last year for Chicago’s mayor, Lewis suddenly was diagnosed with brain cancer. She had surgery two days after diagnoses and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments ever since.

“She is doing well. She will tell you her scans are clear — her cancer appears to be gone, but she’s extremely weak. If you’ve seen her recently, she’s lost a lot of weight, she walks with a walker, but her mind is as sharp as ever,” Montgomery explained.

Even though CTU President Karen Lewis was unable to attend an event in her honor, guest of the 20th annual Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Person of the Year award, stand and applaud her efforts and dedication for teaching and standing firm against the privatization of public education. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

If one thing could define Lewis, Montgomery said it would be that she is a teacher. “She’s a teacher at heart and she’s a teacher through-and-through. She bring that with her as a unionist and it’s what makes her a really good union leader,” he said.

Besides being a union leader, Lewis loves opera, speaks Italian, plays the piano and is an observant Jew. “She’s a really interesting, smart and multifarious person. She also doesn’t put up with bullshit and doesn’t tolerate foolishness. She does that in the defense of her community, her city, her teachers and the schools,” Montgomery said.

Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea, who traveled from Springfield to attend the event, said Lewis should be honored to receive the Person of the Year award. Drea was a past recipient himself, receiving the award in 2010.

As a past recipient himself, Illinois AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tim Drea said CTU President Karen Lewis should be proud she was chosen for the Person of the Year award. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Following tradition, Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President Patrick Statter gave Lewis a Michael the Archangel clock, so she will “always be safe, and never be late,” Statter explained.

Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery, right, hold the traditional Person of the Year gift from the Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO – a Michael the Archangel clock, which he will give to Karen Lewis. Northeastern Illinois Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO President Patrick Statter, left, reads an Illinois Senate recognition certificate offered by Senator Melinda Bush, citing Lewis’ dedication and fight for labor. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer