Flashback August 1999. An important part of Chicago's organized labor movement had been hijacked by the Chicago Mob. The
Justice Department explains:
Chicago Laborers District Council consists of and oversees the operation of 21 constituent local unions (hereafter, the "Locals") in the Chicago metropolitan area
Most disturbing:
For at least the past twenty-five years, the leadership of the Chicago District Council has had strong, discernable ties to the leadership of organized crime in Chicago. Organized crime has exerted influence over the Chicago District council by placing and retaining mob members, mob associates and relatives of mob members in positions of leadership in the Chicago District Council and a number of its affiliated locals and funds. Control over leadership positions in the Chicago District Council benefits organized crime in Chicago by providing mob members, mob associates and relatives of mob 'members with: (1) significant sources of income and the appearance of legitimate jobs; (2) political and economic power;(3) control and influence over the finances of the Chicago District Council and its affiliated locals; and (4) influence over affiliated union pension, health & welfare, training and political action funds through power of appointment.
When someone from Chicago wants to "strengthen" the union movement: be warned.
