Painters district council 14

April 2021 Issue Highlights:

• Peer Influence and Suicide Prevention
• Dozing at Your Desk?
• Good First Impressions Like a Bit of Insurance
• Does Diet Affect Mental Health?
• Do I Need Professional Counseling?
• Customer Service Tip: Stop the Stress Before It Starts
• “ePresenteeism” A Risk for Remote Workers
• Coping with Next Day Anxiety

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APRIL 2021 NEWSLETTER

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Ron Alberico | Lockport Township Supervisor

Currently serving as your Lockport Township Supervisor. Please Vote to Re-Elect as your Township Supervisor.

Ron Alberico is a lifelong resident of Lockport Township and resides in unincorporated Lockport Township with his wife of 40 years. They have a daughter and a son, Kaylee and Jacob. They are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lockport. Kaylee has a Master's Degree in education. Jacob is currently attending Joliet Junior College and planning a career in business. 

Ron is a Lockport West High School graduate where he was given the John Philip Sousa Award for his work in the music department. He attended Joliet Junior College and majored in music. Ron has maintained a part-time music career his entire adult life. He now performs with the Ukulele Moonshiners at local retirement homes and senior centers. 

Ron began a career in the building trades in 1979 as an industrial painter. He was a member of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades local #33 as an active member for 32 yrs. Ron was elected to the board of Trustees for local #33 in 1990. He served as president and now is a loyal lifetime member of IUPAT DC14.

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Painters District Council #14 Business Manager-Secretary Treasurer John Spiros, Jr. along with the Business Representatives and Organizers recently met with the former Illinois' State Speaker Michael Madigan, thanking him for his years of service and standing up for the working men & women of the labor movement!

Richard E. Leja | 3rd Ward Alderman

Richard has been a union member in good standing in local 191 for over 40 years. Starting his career at the famed Washburn Trade School and working for M. Ecker Decorating. His early years were concentrated on stage work and spraying, eventually working his way into paperhanging and Faux finishing. He worked for Tiffany Decorating, Miglin-Beitler corporation, and The Hilton Towers before his retirement in December 2015. He is now a lifetime Gold Card member. Richard married Patricia Hartenstein in June 1976. Patricia's father, Bill Hartenstein had been a painter in local 147 for close to 50 years. Most of his later years were spent painting for the Chicago Park District and at Lincoln Park Zoo.

Richard and Patricia have 3 grown children. They moved to Berwyn in 1980 where Richard has been involved in the community ever since. He was involved in the St. Leonard troop 32 scout program for many years. He was on the St. Leonard school board and Parish council. Richard is a 4th degree knight since 1998 and was instrumental in bringing the Vietnam Moving Wall to Berwyn in 2014. He has been on the executive board of The Berwyn Pav YMCA since 2017 and has tirelessly worked with seniors, veterans, and area youth since the early 80s. Richard is now running for 3rd ward alderman in Berwyn. He will be a voice for union issues, and an advocate for fair and equitable treatment for our working families.

(708) 749-3824
@lejafor3rdward
friendsof3rd@gmail.com

Karl Ferrell | Candidate for Joliet Township Trustee

As an active and engaged member of I.U.P.A.T. Local 33, Karl has volunteered and assisted numerous politicians that support Union Labor. Karl is a member and former president of District Council 14 Young Lions Committee, an organization that's committed to social, community and political volunteering. Karl is also a trustee for Joliet Painters Local 33, along with being a founding member of the newly organized Will County Democratic Black Caucus, Joliet Gatekeepers, community empowerment, and mentoring program. Karl is also a founding member of the Will County chapter of Black Lives Matter and he's currently running for Joliet Township Trustee.

Karl is a dedicated community activist with a keen interest in social and economic empowerment for distressed communities as well as an advocate for equal education and opportunity.

Matt Shepard | MCHS District 111 School Board

Hello!

My name is Matt Shepard and I am running for MCHS District 111 School Board. Below, you will find a short bio to give you a better idea of my background.

I am currently an Instructor at DC 14 Apprenticeship Program teaching commercial painting for District Council 14 in Chicago.

I am 45 years old, grew up in Shorewood and have lived in Channahon for the last 16 years. I went to the Troy Middle School and went to Joliet West High School. I have been a union painter for 22 years. I spent 18 years in the field doing mostly commercial work. I have always been very active with my local. I started off as a trustee, moved on to treasurer, then financial secretary and now currently hold a position on the Local 33 E-Board. The Union contract that I have worked under has provided myself and my family peace of mind with great wages and benefits.

Graduating from the DC 14 Apprenticeship and receiving the Outstanding Apprenticeship award for my graduating class is something I will always be proud of. But I kept striving for more after that. Becoming a foreman, running large projects, being an officer at Local 33 and eventually becoming an instructor at the DC 14 Apprenticeship Program are all accomplishments that I am all very proud of.

But first and foremost, getting married, having 2 sons, and becoming a grandfather without a doubt are my most cherished achievements. I have been a volunteer at the Minooka Community High School for the past 2 years donating my time as a boat captain for the Minooka Anglers Club. I also am an avid tournament bass fisherman. I truly enjoy my neighborhood and community here in the MCHS school district.

I look forward to meeting and answering any questions anyone may have! Please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your support

Matt Shepard
815-530-4780
matthewshepard@sbcglobal.net

Painters District Council 14 and Celestial Ministries partnered with Prison Fellowship’s Annual Angel Tree Program to fulfill the holiday wishes of hundreds of kids with a parent in prison. Through Angel Tree, children of the incarcerated receive a gift on that parent’s behalf during the holiday season.

Celestial Ministries, a nonprofit organization, explains their mission as one “to serve and increase the quality of life for individuals and families that live in single parent homes. Celestial offers several community programs and services including Celestial’s Mobile Outreach, Celestial’s Community Garden, After School Programs and the Celestial Sound Studio. These programs are designed to keep families connected and raise the next generation of leaders, while building within them real skills and provide a creative outlet to express themselves.” 

Through their Mobile Outreach program, families receive help with transportation to correctional facilities across the state in order to stay connected during a parent’s incarceration period. This helps to maintain an emotional balance with children and other family members who might otherwise not see a parent for long periods of time.

With the support of our sponsors last year, over 900 children received a gift on behalf of their otherwise absent parent. Families also received a ham or turkey and a bag of groceries for the holidays.

Despite the obvious challenges of collecting donations amidst the pandemic we managed to pass along peace and love by collecting over 650 presents and gift cards. We provided curbside pickup for Angel Tree gifts, and they have all been passed along to children on behalf of their incarcerated parent. 100 families also received their turkey or ham as well as stockings for all the kids.

For details on how to become a sponsor for next year’s Angel Tree, email aratliff@celestialmin.org or info@celestialmin.org  

Thank you to everyone involved in making this a wonderful holiday for the kids and their families.

Happy Holidays,
C.O.R.E. Program

Daniel Hernandez and Mark O'Donnell