June 4, 2004
For Immediate Release

Contact:
Rev. Bob Giese - 847-870-7784 or
Walt Herrs � 847/858-1555 or
Florentina Rendon � 630/605-3014


PROTEST LINKS MINISTRY RESTRICTIONS TO OVERCROWDED, UNSAFE, HOUSING UNITS ON ARLINGTON PARK�S BACKSTRETCH

Picket lines go up at 1:00 PM for a second demonstration at Arlington Racetrack this Sunday, June 6. Demonstrators are protesting Arlington�s decision to deny Reverend Dave Krueckeberg access to the Backstretch. As part of his racetrack ministry, Krueckeberg serves on the Arlington Backstretch Coordinating Committee (ABCC). In a November 18, 2003 �Information Sheet,� ABCC found that:

�Despite persistent protests, Backstretch housing continues to be overcrowded, unsanitary and unsafe especially for families. Housing built in the early 1970�s primarily for single male workers, now houses families (parents and children). They are provided 10�x12� concrete block rooms with cement floors and ceilings and one naked light bulb. The rooms are without cross-ventilation, cooking facilities or individual bathrooms.�

�The denial of access to Rev. Dave is probably related to his long-time advocacy for better conditions on the racetrack in terms of housing and other life-essentials,� said Rev. Bob Giese, Board Chairman of Racetrack Ministries, Inc.

The protest will take place outside the Wilke Road entrance to Arlington Park Racetrack, beginning at 1:00 PM. The entrance is located on the west side of Wilke just south of Northwest Hwy. and the Metra tracks.

For over thirty-five years Rev. Krueckeberg has enjoyed unbridled access to the Arlington backstretch as he ministers to exercise riders, hot walkers, grooms and other racetrackers -- the men and women who care for the horses seven days a week. Currently there are about 1,200 workers and their families, mostly Mexican immigrants, who live on the Backstretch.

The Arlington Backstretch Coordinating Committee consists of racetrack and community service representatives meeting over the past four years, to assess, coordinate and advocate for services to Backstretch residents of Arlington Park. ABCC has celebrated accomplishments and improvements benefiting the residents of the Backstretch. However, critical problems remain unsolved, and ABCC recommendations concerning housing issues have met with little success despite expansion of front side accommodations and expanded provisions for racehorses.

Racetrack Ministries, Inc., is the non-profit organization that sponsors Rev. Krueckeberg�s ministry. RMI was organized in 1988 as an ecumenical ministry supported by concerned and caring Christians of all denominations.