SEIU to picket Obama's suit maker

Crain's Chicago Business reports:

members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are planning a protest Thursday over the possible liquidation of Hartmarx Corp., which is best known lately as President Barack Obama's suit maker.

The union contends that Hartmarx, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, is being broken apart by its lender, a division of Wells Fargo, even though there are interested buyers who would keep the firm operating it. They take issue with Wells Fargo receiving $25 billion in federal bail-out funds, which are supposed to be used to the keep the economy running.

The "public vigil" will occur outside a company factory at 1680 E. Touhy Ave. in Des Plaines, and is to last from 8 a.m. into the evening, according to SEIU. Some 500 SEIU members work at that plant.

The potential liquidation has started to draw protests from some big name politicians, with congressmen Philip Hare, D-Rock Island, and Jan Schakowsky, D-Evanston, opposing such an action, and Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias scheduled to attend the protest.

Great moments in TARP! No word from Alexi Giannoulias' bank customers on this one.