A Positive Force in Building Communities Makes Bold Plans for a Bright Future

MPC Receives Major Gift from Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, Area’s Largest Labor Union

March 2, 2005

Representing more than 36,000 Chicago-area men and women working in the carpentry trades, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters is committed to improving and maintaining the quality of life of its members. With its recent $50,000 gift – renewable over five years -- to the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) Bold Plans, Bright Future campaign, the union demonstrated its deep commitment to sensible growth of the region at large.

“We have a keen interest in a thriving, vibrant Chicago region. An active and growing economy means more meaningful employment opportunities for our members,” said Martin Umlauf, President / Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. “This major gift to the Metropolitan Planning Council, through our Carpenters Labor/Management Promotion Fund, is an investment in the future of the region, on behalf of northeastern Illinois ’ hard-working men and women, and their families.”

Bold Plans, Bright Future is MPC’s $14.2 million endowment and special program fundraising campaign. The union’s gift, its first to MPC, is earmarked for the Council’s Transportation and Housing funds, which will support MPC’s work to ensure northeastern Illinois has a range of housing options and a sound transportation network.

Since 1891, when the carpenters union won a major victory in securing an eight-hour day and a wage increase for Chicago carpenters, it has become northeastern Illinois ’ largest labor organization, and one of its most successful. The carpenters union has trained and provided for generations of craftsmen, ensuring them earn good wages and benefits, having safe work environments, and providing for their families. In addition to maintaining and increasing work for its members, the union provides education and training to ensure a consistent, qualified workforce. Improving the standard of living throughout the region, and developing and empowering the community are also central to the carpenters union’s goals.

“Through generous gifts such as this one to MPC, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters demonstrates its commitment to being part of the solution to regional challenges,” said MarySue Barrett, MPC president. “We are pleased to be partners in the shared goal of improving the livability of northeastern Illinois .”

Founded in 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development policies necessary for a world-class Chicago region. MPC conducts policy analysis, outreach, and advocacy in partnership with public officials and community leaders to improve equity of opportunity and quality of life throughout metropolitan Chicago .

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters represents over 47,000 men and women working throughout 81 counties in Northern Illinois, Southeast Wisconsin, and Northeast Iowa . It is the largest Regional Council of Carpenters in the United States . Since 1881, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters has been a positive force in building communities and improving the lives of its skilled members and their families.

For more information about the Metropolitan Planning Council, contact Kim Grimshaw Bolton, MPC communications director, at 312-863-6020 or kbolton@metroplanning.org. For more information about the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, contact Gene Tenner, Communications Director for the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, at 312-787-3076, ext. 587, or gtenner@carpentersunion.org.