Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Mark Truemper, nephew of Walter Truemper, unveils the new street named after his uncle, a late WWII Medal of Honor recipient.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

AURORA — The quiet 300 block of East Avenue in Aurora got some flair of the heroic kind added to it last week.

The corner of East and North avenues was crowned with the honor of Walter E. Truemper Lane in a ceremony May 17, Armed Forces Day.

Truemper is the only World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor who hails from Aurora. He was serving in England with the 510 Bomb Squadron, 351st Bomb Group when he was killed Feb. 20, 1944.

He was flying as navigator on a mission to Leipzig, Germany when his B-17 bomber encountered heavy fire. The attack killed the co-pilot, and knocked the pilot unconscious.

Everyone bailed out of the damaged plane except Truemper and SSGT Archie Mathias, who decided to aid the wounded pilot and try and land the plane in friendly territory. Despite several landing attempts, the plane crashed on the third try in an open field, and all three men were killed.

Truemper and Mathias both received the Medal of Honor posthumously. Seventy years later, Truemper’s legacy lives on at his home street in Aurora.

Mark Truemper, nephew of Walter, relayed a story about Walter’s navigation skills in his brand new B-17 bomber. In 1943, Walter told his sister to sit by the sitting room by the big window in her home because he had a surprise for her as he navigated the bomber to war in England from Nebraska.

“It was his way of saying goodbye. With the plane flying overhead and the sun pouring through the window, the plane would cast a shadow on her lap,” said Mark. “He was successful in doing this twice. This event brought a lot of joy to my grandmother, to have her son so close for the last time before going to war. Little did they know, that was the closest they would ever get again.”

Mark himself served in the Army reserve for eight years in college. One of his unit’s duties was to train recruits before they went to Vietnam.

“I believe everyone who served their country in war is a hero. These trainees knew where they were going, accepted their role, and became a cohesive unit willing to serve their country. This willingness to serve and make sacrifices to preserve our way of life is what makes this country great today,” he said.

The ceremony included an invocation by Pastor Danny Tutwiler of St. Paul Lutheran Church, a poem about Truemper written by World War II veteran Richard Williams, as well as a city proclamation honoring him.

Aurora Alderman at Large Bob O’Connor read the proclamation of honor for Walter, saying the Truemper clan is a “proud and honorable family.”

“Thomas J. Weisner, on behalf of the Aurora city council, asks all citizens of Aurora to recognize and honor 2nd Lieutenant Walter E. Truemper, for his acts of heroism and bravery resulting in the ultimate sacrifice,” said O’Connor.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Medal of Honor recipient Allen James Lynch wants veterans to know there is help for them, through his Allen James Lynch Foundation.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

MONTGOMERY — Even though he is one of the elite, a recipient of the Medal of Honor, former Army Sgt. Allen James Lynch relates to all veterans.

“I know these standing ovations are just an excuse to get up, get the blood flowing, stretch the back. I know how it goes,” he jokingly told the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club gathered in Montgomery May 8.

The packed room enjoyed Lynch’s stories and his telling of the little bird fable, but he had a serious message to deliver: Veterans in America need help. To hear Lynch’s little bird fable, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

“I’ve been working with veterans for 45 years — and I’ve learned that veterans that are in need of a lot of help, get it. But there’s a lot of vets that don’t need major stuff, they just need a little bit of help,” he said.

“That’s what we do,” said Lynch, referring to his Allen James Lynch Foundation.

The Foundation provides help to veterans who may just need a little boost to get through hard times, such as a laptop for school, a rent payment, or help with home repairs.

Lynch was 22-years-old in December 1967, serving as a radio-telephone operator in the village of My An, Binh Dinh Province of Vietnam when he rescued three wounded soldiers and stayed behind to protect them when the rest of the company withdrew. He single-handedly defended the wounded men against enemy attack until locating a friendly force, which could evacuate them. President Richard Nixon awarded Lynch the Medal of Honor in 1970. To hear Lynch’s experience in Vietnam, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

After the war, he was working for the Veterans Administration and recounted how times were sometimes tough for his young family.

“A lot of times there was too much month at the end of the money, and we were living paycheck to paycheck. We’ve all been in that situation. Next thing you know you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul,” he said. “It was a tough few years there.”

Lynch said there are a lot of veterans who go through the same thing and it’s something the foundation helps with.

“We had a guy who just got back from Afghanistan, was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas, his wife was in Chicago. She needed transportation. We paid for her to get down there and see him,” he said. Another instance was paying school uniforms for a veteran’s children in Alabama. To hear Lynch’s talk about the many ways his foundation helps veterans, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

“People tell me, these are the little things that help us out. Everything will be ok if I can just get over this hump,” he said.

Lynch said all recipients of aid are vetted. It goes to people who deserve it.

“We had a guy call us up and ask for thousands of dollars. He said once he had that, he’d be ok. It was a lot of money, that’s not what we do,” he said. “What we do isn’t Earth shattering. We don’t build houses. We just help veterans who fall into that gap and need the help.” To hear additional stories by Lynch, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

For further information on the Allen James Lynch Foundation, please visit the Allen James Lynch Foundation.

Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, candidate for Illinois Treasurer, was one of several candidates to speak to a full house of union members and supporters during the annual Southland Friends of Labor breakfast.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing editor
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Email Jennifer Rice at jen@foxvalleylabornews.com

KANKANEE — The day chosen for the Southland Friends of Labor breakfast was not lost on its attendants — it was Workers’ Memorial Day.

Illinois Department of Labor Director Joe Costigan reminded everyone that April 28 was a day to transform tragedy into prevention. Costigan said his uncle died before turning 60 from complications from working years in an asbestos factory. “He didn’t have someone looking out for his protection,” Costigan said. To listen to Costigan’s talk at the Southland Friends of Labor event, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

Even with current safety regulation and laws in place, 12 men and women die a year as a result of preventable workplace incidents. All workers would like that number dropped to zero, but when you consider that 40 years ago the number was nearly 40, workers can understand progress has been made.

Costigan’s remarks to a packed house at the Kankakee Civic Auditorium was heard during the Southland Friends of Labor’s annual breakfast, created for union members and elected officials to come together to discuss the needs of working men and women in the southland area. In an election year, most discussions revolved around Bruce Rauner, the Republican candidate for Illinois Governor, who is not a friend of labor.

Rauner paints himself as a working-class stiff, complete with a Carhartt jacket and $18 watch, but most union members aren’t fooled. They know he doesn’t know what it’s like to be a working-class person. Chicago Federation of Labor Secretary-Treasurer Bob Reiter said he was insulted Rauner would try to identify with working-class people, especially after his father put on a Carhartt jacket for 37 years to go to work. To listen to Reiter’s talk at the Southland Friends of Labor event, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

“[Rauner] doesn’t know how I grew up, or how people in this room grew up. He doesn’t know a damn thing about what teachers do every day. They should be on a pedestal, not some guy who’s a billionaire,” Reiter said.

Reiter’s colleague — Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Tom Villanova, wanted to know what someone that makes $25,000 a hour and owns nine homes would have in common with the middle class? “I understand [Rauner] is successful, but he wants to take what we fought for; what our members have fought for,” Villanova said. To listen to Villanova’s talk at the Southland Friends of Labor event, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

As an elected official and a union member, Will County Executive Larry Walsh Jr. appreciates what workers are fighting for this election year — the American dream. “It’s about good paying jobs, livable wages and economic security,” he said.

Will County Treasurer candidate and Southland Friends of Labor Secretary Laurie Summers said this year’s election worries her more than any past election. “We need to elect labor-friendly people and we need rank-and-file people to step up to the plate and run for local offices,” she stressed. To listen to Summers’ talk at the Southland Friends of Labor event, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

As in past election, the formula to win is simple, yet difficult: Get people registered to vote and get them to the polls.

Kankakee Building Trades President Steve Magruder summed up the morning by saying people don’t live to do politics, but instead, people do politics to live.

“If you’re a friend of labor, you’re a friend of mine and a friend of the working men and women in this room today,” Magruder said. “We need to put elected officials in positions that will help us.” To listen to Magruder’s talk at the Southland Friends of Labor event, visit Fox Valley Labor News YouTube Channel.

Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Several Locals came out April 25 to protest the Mount Prospect grand opening of the Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market. During construction, several non-signatory contractors were used, including Symphony of Destruction, which paid their Laborers substandard wages and benefits.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing editor
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Email Jennifer Rice at jen@foxvalleylabornews.com

MOUNT PROSPECT — Shoppers coming to shop April 23 at the grand opening of the Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market in Mount Prospect were met by numerous union members showing their disgust that non-signatory contractors were used on its remodeling project.

This market was the first of 22 to open in Illinois. Currently, another Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market is being constructed in Lake County. If the markets continue to use non-signatory contractors, more union members will not be working and more pickets may go up.

Laborers’ Local 118 President Leo Esparza said his local protested during the construction — especially the last three months of the market remodel.

His members’ efforts delayed the market’s grand opening by several months.

“This project was supposed to be a six-week turn-around project. But because they couldn’t get any concrete, or cranes, opening was delayed for six months and money was lost,” Esparza explained.

During construction, non-signatory contractor Symphony of Destruction paid their laborers substandard wages and benefits, which not only hurts workers, but also their communities.

Unions members, inflatable rats/pigs were brought from the Arlington Heights rally (held earlier in the morning) to the Fresh Thyme Farmer’s Market protest.

Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Several Chicago-area building trades bannered outside the Arlington Downs construction project taken under the care of Preserve Services Franchise in Arlington Heights. After talks with the developer, Tom Villanova and investors, a PLA is expected to be in place for future construction. Before construction one might have to get a demolition company – SMC Demolition. If you are planning to build your dream home, you may need to hire a custom home builder melbourne. For a moving company Winston Salem call City Transfer and Storage. You may also need an expert to conduct a home inspection and provide owner builder reports Melbourne.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing editor
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Email Jennifer Rice at jen@foxvalleylabornews.com

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Persistence and hard work by union members paid off as a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is expected to be implemented in the construction of the $250 million mixed-use development in Arlington Heights.

After several days of meetings between the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Tom Villanova, Argent Group developers and investors, word has come that a PLA is expected to be signed May 2 so signatory contractors will be used on future construction.

The Argent Group and investors took notice after various building trades protested with inflatables outside the Metropolis Ballroom April 23, where an Economic Alliance Breakfast was held to discuss the current construction of the Arlington Downs, which includes: commercial, hotel, recreation, and residential uses of approximately 25 acres of land.

Several non-signatory contractors unlike Dobson Perth are being used for its construction and out-of-state workers are being brought in to do the work.

“It’s beyond union and non-union right now,” said Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 Business Representative Michael May. “We’ve got workers right here in this area that are out of work. These out-of-state workers are going to make their money here and spend it there. Right now, every single trade is sticking together,” he explained.

Arlington Downs has been planned and designed to attract residents and patrons with a new urban/suburban vision. It is a mixed use development of low and mid rise facilities with sweeping views of the adjacent wooded areas and the iconic Chicago skyline.

Total construction is expected to take between five and 10 years with the aid of services similar to Gold Coast Concreting Solutions. With the expected PLA, that means plenty of work for union members. 

In the days after the protest outside the Metropolis Ballroom, locals placed their Scabby the Rat and Fat Cat inflatables outside the Arlington Downs construction site for bannering to alert the public that non-union contractors were being used on some parts of construction.

Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Numerous Scabby the Rats and Fat Cats lined both sides of Vail Street. Union members wanted to grab the attention of developer Argent Group and investors to show them they were frustrated the construction of the Arlington Downs mixed-use development was being done primary with non-signatory contractors.

April 24, non-union electricians were cutting conduit on the roof when sparks ignited glue being used by union roofers. The glue caught fire and the fire department was called to the scene.

The incident reminds workers that safety is the No. 1 priority.

In the days waiting for word if a PLA would be implemented, union members never doubted what they can do when united for a common cause.

“If we let this project go non-union and did nothing, it would only get worse,” said Laborers’ Local 118 President Leo Esparza. “We weren’t going to go away,” he added.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Illinois Tollway Chief of Staff Mike Stone reminds motorists that using a cell phone while driving without a hands free device is illegal in Illinois.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

CHANNAHON — With the proliferation of on-the-go electronic devices taking over the interiors of cars and trucks, drivers are getting more and more distracted, which means big trouble for the men and women who labor on the side of Illinois highways.

“Most job sites are not behind barrier walls. At most, our workers are protected by their equipment in front of them, and that’s it,” said John Bryan, president of Geneva Construction and board member of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association. “It just takes an instant for a tragedy to occur.”

Bryan was among the officials who spoke April 7 in Channahon as part of the kickoff of National Work Zone Awareness week by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Now that winter is winding down and construction season is starting, IDOT is aiming to reduce severe crashes and fatalities on Illinois roadways.

It’s especially important for motorists to be patient this spring, with multiple construction projects underway on the tollways, and patching up of the roads after a harsh winter.

“Motorists need patience. Workers get stuff thrown at them all the time just from people who were inconvenienced for a minute,” said Bryan. “I have 120 employees, they all have children. They’re out there just doing their job and deserve to be safe.”

Mike Stone, chief of staff, Illinois Tollway, pointed out the new “Drop it and Drive” slogan for cell phone usage. It’s now illegal in Illinois to use a cellphone while driving without a hands free device. However, in the event of an accident despite these regulations, consulting a car accident attorney panama city fl can be crucial for managing any legal challenges that arise.

“Be conscious and be courteous. It all boils down to that. You can’t be alert if you’re talking, texting, or tweeting on your cell phone. Drop it and drive,” said Stone.

Mike Sturino, president and CEO of the Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association, held up his own phone amidst the traffic noise of nearby I-55.

“This cell phone plus your vehicle means you’re more likely to see a state trooper,” he said. “The average time spent looking at a text is 4.6 seconds. In that time you can travel the length of a football field — essentially blindfolded.”

Stone stressed Illinois’ Move Over Law, which requires motorists to slow down and change lanes if possible when approaching an emergency vehicle on the shoulder. Understanding what happens after a spinal injury can help drivers appreciate the importance of following these safety measures.

“By taking these simple precautions, drivers will not only protect the lives of workers, police officers, and other first responders, but also their own lives and those of their fellow motorists,” said Stone.

“These workers are wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers — they’re not just nameless faceless people. They deserve all the respect a motorist can give, and that means slowing down in a work zone, paying attention, keeping off your cell phone, and never texting and driving,” said Sturino.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice speaks out on the day the Supreme Court announced its decision striking down caps on how much people can give in total to federal candidates and party committees.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

ELGIN — Even more money is about to enter elections.

April 2, the divided Supreme Court decided limits on aggregate political donations violated the constitutional right to free speech. The 5-4 decision was brought by Alabama businessman Shaun McCutcheon, as well as the Republican National Committee.

The McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission decision piles up the influence of the rich following the 2010 Citizens United ruling, which created SuperPacs — outside, mostly anonymous (if they want to be) groups that can funnel unlimited amounts of cash to influence elections.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who voiced with McCutcheon, said that “The government may not seek to limit the appearance of mere influence or access.” He said general influence is protected speech.

“I am very disgusted and broken-hearted that the Supreme Court stood on the side of wealthy individuals. The billionaires are going to run this country. Very few people are going to be in charge of our laws and elected officials,” said Kaye Gamble of Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice (NIJwJ). The group held a protest April 2 in Elgin against the decision. “The only people that are going to change it are voters. It’s not going to come from the top down.”

The old campaign finance laws were put on the books in the 1970s, limiting how much an individual can give to a candidate or parties in a single election cycle. The new decision will eliminate that and allow for donations from an individual to multiple campaign entities.

In short, it’s OK as long as the huge donation is spread around to multiple candidates, even if they are in the same party.

Laurie Nowak of the DuPage County Board attended the rally and called the decision “flat out dangerous.”

“Pawning off our democracy to the highest bidder has got to be one of the most un-American and un-Christian concepts there is. From the local level to the national level we must be vigilant about how big donations influence both election results and subsequent policy decisions,” she said.

“It’s bad enough to see this kind of thing on the county level, and it is flat out dangerous that the Supreme Court considers it constitutional for a wealthy few to drown out the voice of the poor, middle class, and even moderately wealthy citizens,” she explained.

Frank Esposito, an organizer from Occupy Naperville, said he wasn’t as worried about the decision.

“This is more of the same. We’re already on this path. This will change a few things, but it doesn’t change what we have to do, which is fight for a constitutional amendment. That’s the only thing that will override Congress and the Supreme Court,” Esposito explained.

Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Obama visited the Chicagoland area April 2. Along his motorcade route, he was met by protestors concerned about him not keeping his environmental promises regarding the Keystone XL pipeline — a venture which would benefit union members.

By Pat Barcas
Staff writer
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at pat@foxvalleylabornews.com

CHICAGO — Protestors took advantage of President Obama’s April 2 fundraising visit to Chicago, holding a rally along his motorcade route in Lincoln Park and asking him to keep his environmental promises to safeguard the planet for future generations.

The topic of discussion was the Keystone XL (eXport Limited) pipeline, the fourth phase of an oil pipeline that is slated to run from Alberta Canada, and join the existing pipeline in Nebraska. It would eventually terminate at the gulf in Texas.

The pipeline does have union support from the Laborers International Union of North America and the AFL-CIO, but overall, unions are divided on the issue.

Supporters say the pipeline will bring economic growth, jobs, and less dependance on foreign oil, but environmentalists say the pipeline poses a specific risk to the Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska, one of the largest freshwater reserves in the world.

Representatives from the Sierra Club of Chicago held a rally at Fullerton and Jackson during Obama’s April 2 visit, asking him to reject the construction permit for the project. They say the promised economic gains don’t outweigh the potential environmental negatives the extended pipeline could bring.

“It’s becoming more and more evident that with such a large pipeline, the potential for disaster is serious,” said Laura Sabransky, Sierra Club member and co-organizer of the rally. “We called it a rally because we are just trying to get our message heard. All presidents need to be pushed to do the right thing, and we’re doing our civic duty. We need to see his actions match his words.”

Sabransky said evidence shows the first section of the pipeline had 12 leaks in the first year of operation alone, and the tar sands it carries are even more dangerous to the environment than traditional crude oil.
LiUNA, however, calls stage four of the pipeline “A lifeline for working men and women and for our nation’s energy security.”

They say a Project Labor Agreement with the four Canadian construction crafts that are signatories to the National Pipeline Agreement guarantee a standard of construction that will enable extensive safety measures, technological advancements, and mitigation efforts.

Once again, critics say more jobs could be created in updating America’s infrastructure and transitioning power sources to wind, solar and other renewable energies.

“Rather than look at the temporary jobs created, let’s look at the permanent jobs. Studies show fewer than 50 will be created,” said Sabransky. “There are too many negatives here. We represent the majority and we hope the President sees that.”