ISLPA - Illinois State Labor Press Association
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June 12
Illinois State Labor Press editors and communications directors met at the Illinois AFL-CIO office in Burr Ridge on June 12 to discuss current issues and learn more about vendors whose products benefit union members. Presenters at the meeting included the Union Sportsmen's Alliance (USA), Helmets To Hardhats, INMEX - a meeting planning service from UNITE HERE, CWA - on the AT&T vs. Verizon Campaign and AT&T union member discounts, the King Group - a video production company owned and operated by union members, the U of I Labor Education Program - talking about their on-line courses, and a presentation on the Cons of a Constitutional Convention.
If you would like additional information on any of these topics please contact Illinois AFL-CIO Communications Director Beth Spencer at 217.544.4014 or see our home page and click on the appropriate icon.
Illinois AFL-CIO COPE Golf Outing
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June 9th
The Illinois State Labor Federation held its first golf outing to benefit Labor's Political Education Fund on June 9th in Sherman at the Rail Golf Course.
Over 120 golfers participated in the premiere event that will hopefully become an annual affair to raise funds for the political education of union members on candidates for state and federal office.
Golfing was followed by a hog roast dinner inside a huge enclosed tent on the grounds of the beautiful Rail Golf Club. Prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winning teams as well as to the longest drive and closest to the pin. The winning team was sponsored by ULLICO and included Griffin Goetz, Larry Paradise, Don Courtwright and Adam Wyatt.
Illinois AFL-CIO Building Rededication
10th Anniversary Open House
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Tuesday, April 29th, the Illinois AFL-CIO celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Springfield headquarters with an open house and rededication.
Over 300 Labor leaders, union members, elected officials and friends of Labor stopped by to join in the festivities. All four living past presidents attended the event and addressed the crowd during the rededication.
Bob Gibson (IL AFL-CIO president from 1979-1989) and Don Johnson (president from 1993-2000) traveled from Florida for the event. Rich Walsh (president from 1989-1993) came from Maryland and Margaret Blackshere (president from 2000-2007) came down from Chicago. The three most recent presidents gave much of the credit for the initial building idea to Bob Gibson, who they said, “had a clear vision for building a ‘House of Labor’ near the Capitol that would have a strong presence and be a convenient gathering place for Labor lobbyists, Labor leaders and union members.”
Michael Carrigan, current president, thanked the past presidents for attending. “I know many people here today came to see the four of you. This wouldn’t have been as special of an event if you weren’t here. Thank you for coming and thank you for making this House of Labor possible.”
The Illinois AFL-CIO bought the original building at the site of 534 South Second Street in Springfield in 1996 from AFSCME Council 31. The extensive renovations on the structure took 18 months. The State Federation staff moved into the building in 1998 and celebrated with the original dedication on April 28th. When the Illinois AFL-CIO staff moved into the new headquarters it marked the first time that the State Federation would be housed in a structure owned by its affiliate unions. It is a true “House of Labor.”
The Illinois AFL-CIO building is a shining example of fine union craftsmanship from top to bottom. The general contractor on the project was R.D. Lawrence Construction. Union craftsmen and women from Central Illinois included:
Carpenters Local 16
Carpenters Local 904
Electrical Workers Local 193
Iron Workers Local 46
Cement Masons Local 18
Operating Engineers Local 965
Plumbers and Steam Fitters Local 137
Painters Local 90
Sheet Metal Workers Local 218
Bricklayers Local 8
Glazers Local 1168
Roofers Local 112
Elevator Constructors Local 92
Laborers Local 477
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