Bugle Newspapers 9-7-23

Tough Mudders

on Sat., aug. 26, seven Jane addams Middle School staff members were part of a 21-person VVSD team that participated in Tough Mudder chicago 2023 at Rockford International airport. Tough Mudder is a 15K race/slog through, challenging wet and dirty conditions. The VVSD team joined forces with addison School District 10 for the event. The combination of forces was facilitated by former Jane addams principal Teresa polson who is now an assistant superintendent in addison District 10.

submitted photo

‘Surge’ in organization efforts has labor leaders optimistic for the future

BY peTeR HaNcocK capitol News Illinois

As workers in Illinois prepare to celebrate Labor Day this weekend, a new report shows there has been a surge in efforts to organize labor unions in workplaces throughout the state, while overall public approval of labor unions nationally is the highest in nearly six decades.

In 2022, there were 72 successful petitions to organize labor unions in Illinois, which represent 9,600 new unionized workers, the highest single-year numbers at any point in the last decade.

That’s according to The State of the Unions 2023, an annual report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute, a think tank with strong ties to organized labor, and the Center for Middle Class Revival at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign.

After decades of declining union membership and declining unionization rates, U of I’s Robert Bruno, a coauthor of the report, said those numbers may signal a resurgence in the labor movement.

“That’s kind of a leading indicator of an upsurge, of growth in the movement,” Bruno said in an interview. “And if you look at where you’re seeing organizing happening – in a lot of growth sectors with larger numbers of employees – then you see the kinds of conditions for increasing the actual density of the labor movement.”

While the rate of unionized workers in Illinois had increased in 2020 – followed by a boost of nearly 16,000 new unionized workers the following year – the state saw declines in both metrics in the past year, according to the report. That continued the downward trend in unionization in the last decade. In 2022, there were 734,430 unionized workers in Illinois, which represented 13.1 percent of the state’s total workforce.

The report attributes that to a shift in the state’s economy away from manufacturing and other unionized sectors toward more service- and knowledge-based industries with low unionization rates. It also cites a large number of vacancies in federal, state and local government positions, which make up the bulk of union membership.

The authors also attribute some of that to the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case, Janus v. the Ameri-

can Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which struck down an Illinois law that required public employees who chose not to join the union representing their shop to nevertheless pay a portion of their union dues known as “fair share” or “agency fees.” Those fees covered a portion of the union’s costs for collective bargaining.

“State and local government vacancies increased 78 percent following Janus as wages in the public sector failed to keep pace with those in the private sector,” said ILEPI’s Frank Manzo IV, the other coauthor of the report. “And in Illinois, unfilled positions at public school districts rose 164 percent. And Illinois also had thousands of vacant state local government jobs and in 2022 … So it’s the labor shortage that’s in part caused by the Janus decision because workers are dissatisfied with pay in the public sector.”

Statewide, public sector union membership has fallen by about 24,000, or 3.3 percent, since the Janus decision and now averages around 334,000.

Still, the report notes, Illinois’ unionization rate of 13.1 percent of its workforce is significantly higher than the national average of 10.1 percent. Nationwide, however, total union membership grew in 2022 to nearly 14.3 million workers, the first time that has happened since 2017.

The report cites an August 2022 Gallup poll that found 71 percent of Americans say they approve of labor unions, up from 68 percent the year before and the highest union approval rating Gallup had recorded since 1965.

The demographics of union membership have also been changing, with younger workers aged 25-34 making up a larger share of the total. Since 2019, that age group saw a 2.3 percentage point increase in unionization. By contrast, there were declines in unionization among workers aged 35-44 and older workers over 65.

Unionization rates were highest among people with master’s degrees but lowest among people with less than a high school diploma as well as people with profes-

sional or doctorate degrees.

The top four industries by unionization rates were public administration, construction, transportation and utilities, and the combined educational and

health services industry.

The report notes that the manufacturing workforce, historically a leader in industrial unionization, is now only 8.8 percent organized in Illinois.

a graphic from the State of the unions 2023 report by the the pro-union Illinois economic policy Institute and the project for Middle class Renewal at the university of Illinois urbana-champaign shows national and state organizing rates from the last decade. (credit: Illinois economic policy Institute and the project for Middle class Renewal at the university of Illinois urbana-champaign)

cook co. Sheriff Dart hosts overdose prevention event

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart and partnering organizations raised awareness today about the opioid overdose epidemic and reinforced ongoing prevention efforts at the Cook County Jail.

The event highlighted the importance and success of lifesaving naloxone distribution at the jail, which has provided more than 24,000 overdose reversal kits since 2016 to those leaving custody. Surveys of those who received naloxone through the program indicate that at least 39% have been used in a life-threatening overdose situation, likely saving thousands of lives.

Sheriff staff and volunteers from partner organizations with the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force pro-

vided naloxone training to thousands of individuals in custody and engaged visitors and the public with critical information on treatment options.

“Americans are dying at an alarming rate, but our efforts in the jail and in the community are saving lives. This work must continue,” Sheriff Dart said. “We will work closely with our partners in public health and the community to do everything we can to address this crisis.”

In 2022 nearly 2,000 people were killed by an opioid overdose in Cook County, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. That is more than the total number of people killed by homicide or car accidents, combined. More than 91% of the overdose cases involved fentanyl – a powerful drug that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100

times more potent than morphine.

Ringing the alarm alongside Sheriff Dart was Dr. Priscilla Ware of Cook County Health’s Cermak Health Services and Florence Wright with the South Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force.

Both organizations emphasized the importance of working together to help combat the opioid epidemic in Cook County.

“The risk of a person fatally overdosing increases 10-fold after release from a jail or prison. That’s why it is essential that we continue to collaborate to expand access to equitable and patient-centered substance use disorder treatment both in our communities and in correctional settings,” said Dr. Ware, Cook County Health Chair of Correctional Health and Medical Director of Cermak Health Services.

Cermak Health Services offers the only certified Opioid Treatment Program in a correctional facility in the State of Illinois, providing Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT), along with comprehensive medical and mental health care to support patients at the Cook County Jail on their recovery journey.

“This critical work demands cooperation between all stakeholders –including state and local officials, law enforcement, and community organizations like the task force,” Wright said. “We are thrilled to be working with the Sheriff’s Office to address this deadly public health emergency.”

The Cook County Jail is a national leader in providing substance use disorder treatment in custody. So far this year, nearly 1,000 individuals have taken part in the jail’s primary

SUD treatment programs, and thousands more have taken part in mental health programs that also address drug use.

Individuals who leave custody are also provided naloxone kits and important connections to continue their treatment.

“It can be extremely difficult for people to overcome addiction and access the treatment their lives depend on,” Sheriff Dart said. “People have to know we will do whatever it takes to help.”

Sheriff Dart also started the Community Resource Center (CRC) to connect the public to important resources, including SUD treatment. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the CRC at (773) 405-5116 or visit www.cookcountysheriffil.gov.

MaueR

James E. “Jim” Mauer, entrepreneur and innovator in the food industry, passed away peacefully August 28, 2023 surrounded by his family. Jim was born July 18, 1939 in Joliet, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Mauer, Sr. and Gladys Johnston Mauer, as well as his siblings, Ralph Mauer, Art Mauer, and Jean Mauer Theroux.

Jim graduated from Plainfield High School in 1957. He still maintained friendships with two special classmates, Paul Montgomery of Phoenix, AZ and Roger Bronk of Orange Beach, FL. The trio was known as “The Three Tenors.”

In 1960, Jim joined Randy’s Meats, Plainfield, IL and ten years later, he acquired Randy’s and renamed it Zartic, Incorporated. In April 1976, Jim purchased Shurtenda Brands, a Cedartown, GA beef, pork and veal processor and moved the corporate headquarters to Rome, GA. He soon thereafter opened a further processing poultry plant in Rome, GA, Z-Bird. Jim was known to his competitors for innovating new quality products, and rapid expansion. His never-ending vision earned him great respect in the industry and was widely respected as a visionary.

Growth came his way and Jim acquired other companies such as Buddy’s Sausage, in Hamilton, AL and Dawn Produce, in Chattanooga, TN. This enabled him to supply his own plants such as Z-bird East, further integrating and streamlining his operations.

Jim was self-made. He had a keen business mind, loved a good deal and a good hotdog, without ketchup, of course. He loved life, having fun, and was known as the guy with larger-thanlife visions in the food industry. He dreamed it and figured out how to make it happen. He loved what he did and employed over 1500 peo-

ple, that were thought of and treated like family. He valued the person on the dock as much as the top corporate executives.

In 2006, Jim sold Zartic, Inc. to Pierre Foods, in Cincinnati, OH. Quickly bored with retirement, Jim soon opened Elite Forming, LLC and started designing and manufacturing equipment for the seafood industry.

In 2017, Jim finally retired after selling his newfound business to C and L Cylinders, Lindale, GA. Jim attended Christ Church in Lauderdale-by-the Sea, Florida and was a 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the Republican Party and a past member of Coosa Country Club and Cherokee Country Club.

Jim was a longtime donor and supporter of the University of Tennessee, especially Volunteer football, where he was known to throw the most detailed and lavish tailgate parties. Jim is survived by his loving wife and companion of 29 years, Kay Bolton Mauer, and their beloved Golden Doodle, Finley. Jim is also survived by his daughter, Tami Mauer Modlin, (Darrell), two sons, Chris Mauer (Kim), Jeff Mauer (Mary Margaret) and stepson, Shane Walley, (Laura) all of Rome, mother-in-law, Lucille Sparks, Belmont, MS, two brothers-in-law, Lynn Sparks, Belmont, MS, Gary Crow (Kay), Booneville, MS as well as his two siblings, Gordon Mauer Jr. (Marilyn), Peoria, IL, and Dave Mauer, Downers Grove, IL.

Jim had eleven grandchildren, Lauren Mauer Ward (Corey) Rome, GA, Taylor Mauer Mclellan (Ivy), Decatur, GA, Christopher Mauer, Kennesaw, GA, Gill Mauer, Rome, GA, Jason Mauer (Yasmin), Orlando, FL, Maggie Mauer, Raleigh, NC, Jessica Mauer, Rome, GA, Nick Mauer (Brie), Rome, GA and Taylor Modlin, Rome, GA and Ava Walley and Courtney Walley, both of Rome, GA. Jim had two great grandchildren, Niels Ward and Mauer Ward and a soon to

be great granddaughter. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family. A visitation to honor and celebrate Jim’s amazing life will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2023, from 5pm-7pm at Coosa Country Club. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 11am at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory. A private family entombment will follow the service at Myrtle Hill Mausoleum.

Pallbearers are to assemble at the funeral home on Thursday at 10:30am and include: active, Jason Mauer, Nick Mauer, Christopher Mauer, Gill Mauer, Ivy McLellan, and Corey Ward; honorary, Benny DiGerlardo, Mike Thompson, Jerry Tolbert, Mike Beaty, Francois Gaulin, and Eddie Terry.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel and Crematory, is honored to serve the Mauer family.