FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Day Laborers to Present a Comprehensive Solution to City Council

Place: City Hall, 5th Floor at 121 N. LaSalle
Time: 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 4, 2003

Contacts: Jose Landaverde (773) 991-5945
Jessica Aranda (773) 454-9979

Day laborers, the Latino Union of Chicago, and supporters from the Albany Park community will hold a press conference on the 5th floor of City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 4th. In response to pressing day labor issues in Albany Park and other parts of the city, the Latino Union will present the City Council with a series of suggestions for a citywide resolution, with special emphasis on the Albany Park area. The creative proposal involves cooperation among community organizations, the private sector and government to establish a groundbreaking a pilot program in the 39th Ward where day laborers are already organized. Jobs for unemployed and under-employed workers is at the center of the proposal, as day laborers hope to make a significant contribution to public policy in the "City that Works." The proposal calls on the Park District to expand its mandate to include employment programs, without affecting its commitment to recreation and open spaces.

Day laborers from the 39th Ward will present Mayor Daley with a token of their appreciation for his bold leadership on issues that affect immigrants in Chicago.

In light of the shocking and unexpected destruction of the Juan Diego Democratic Workers’ Center in the 39th ward by Alderman Margaret Laurino, day laborers in the area have been forced back onto the street. This situation is unacceptable to neighborhood residents, businesses, police and day laborers. The crisis situation calls for cool heads and a negotiated solution that keeps day laborers in their neighborhoods. On Labor Day, 39th ward residents kicked off the Community Day Labor Watch, a neighborhood committee that will accompany workers to insure protection of civil rights.

"As members of this community, we can’t understand Alderman Laurino’s logic," says 39th Ward resident Tom Hansen, "Providing a permanent space here in Albany Park is the only way to deal with this issue. Putting the workers back out on the street not only puts them in danger, but it wastes the community’s resources as police have been ordered to focus on workers instead of targeting real crime."