A Sun-Times series spotlighting the people and professions that keep Chicago thriving.
Workers at shuttered Signature Room rally to get their jobs back from any future tenant in the space
Workers who were let go in September delivered a petition signed by 1,000 people who say they won’t patronize the space atop the former John Hancock tower unless the former restaurant’s workers are offered their jobs back.
Still hurting from the pandemic, the nonprofit said it is trying to sell its apartment buildings to operators who will maintain the sites as affordable properties.
Two 10-year-olds are among 300 children illegally employed at McDonald’s franchise locations in Kentucky, the U.S. Labor Department said.
The Writers Guild of America said its 11,500 unionized screenwriters will walk the picket line Tuesday. Writers say that in the streaming era they are not being paid enough.
Employees at an ice cream store in the town where it was founded have formed an organizing committee and have asked the National Labor Relations Board for an election.
Faculty and staff will return to classrooms at the Far South Side campus on Monday after reaching a tentative deal with Chicago State University administrators.
Workers announce a campaign to affiliate with Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Concessions workers represented by Unite Here Local 1 are bargaining with Levy, part of Compass Group.
Sunday’s job action by members of Unite Here Local 1 comes as the venue approaches the five-day Big Ten men’s basketball tournament.
The work stoppage has many students scrambling to learn course material on their own, but they also say there must be “sacrifices made for progress to be made.”
It wasn’t really possible for Democrats to draw the new state Supreme Court map in a way that would have assured them of winning one of the seats on the November ballot, as would have been their normal tendency. Instead, both seats are in play.
Now that a new city ordinance has taken effect, the new challenge is spreading the word and helping workers overcome fear, members of Arise Chicago, a workers’ rights group, said Tuesday.
Shantonia Jackson and other certified nursing assistants who are members of SEIU have been desperately needed during the pandemic that has ravaged care homes.
Charlayne Guy investigated food poisoning outbreaks. Deeanna Mendoza inspected restaurants and schools, among other places. Victoria Romero worked with HIV clinics. Now all three AFSCME members are squarely focused on COVID-19.
Cecilia Renteria is trying to recruit more women to the painting trade.
Jason Reed’s 22-year career includes numerous construction projects at local hospitals.
“I was meant to do this,” said Joe Fitzgibbons, a member of IBEW Local 134 for 16 years. “I love it.”
The handiwork of painter/taper Denise Jones, who used to live in Cabrini Green, can be seen all over the city.
Mike Angus left the business world to drive a garbage truck — a job he unexpectedly loves.
Beat the Streets Chicago Wrestling helps kids on the South and West Sides learn the sport, compete for college scholarships.
As power engineer coordinator for the Chicago Transit Authority, Moore is ready to respond quickly to electrical issues impacting the city’s 244 miles of ‘L’ tracks.
Cannon’s program, the Bloc, “spreads the love for boxing” while providing tutoring and more.
The operating engineer keeps the world’s 6th busiest airport running smoothly through a massive infrastructure of systems that control everything from the lights to the hot water.
Emmy Bean’s bedside lessons give patients “a chance to be a kid, and not a kid who’s sick.”
The XS Tennis founder and CEO has helped 47 players get scholarships and coached Sloane Stephens, who won the 2017 U.S. Open.
The Plumbers Local 130 member is part of the fifth generation to work for Chas F. Bruckner and Son Plumbing.
Helene Pochopien does a little bit of everything for Northwest Side facility that cares for medically fragile kids and young adults.
She’s been a part of the Special Olympics since the first games were held at Soldier Field in 1968.
Clarise Evans sees the impact of Chicago’s gun violence on a daily basis. She’s now pushing for higher wages at her hospital.
‘The communities we serve are very complex,’ Nestor Flores says. ‘These are vulnerable populations that are struggling to survive, low-income in many cases.’
Kittra Headtke tells girls and women: “If it’s something you love, do it no matter who you are.”
