AFFI Raises $21,000 for MDA!

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Thank you for participating in this year’s AFFI Sox/Cubs Game to benefit MDA.  The event was very successful and raised $21,000 for the MDA.

Berwyn Local #506 members did a great job of hosting the tailgate party.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to our sponsors for partnering with the AFFI to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Grand Slam Sponsor 

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

AFFI Honor Guard

Chicago Firefighters Local #2

Crystal Lake Firefighters Local #3926

Stephen P Kelly Attorney

Illinois AFL-CIO

Home Run Sponsor 

Asher, Gittler & D’Alba Ltd

Illinois Firefighters Peer Support

Boone’s Saloon

DeKalb Local #1236

Palatine Local #4588

Wauconda Local 34876

Waukegan Local #473

Triple Play Sponsor 

AFFI President Chuck Sullivan

AFFI Secretary-Treasurer Kurt Snow

AFFI VP Luke Howieson

AFFI CD Legislative Director Jeff Maher

Illinois Association of Retired and Disabled Firefighters

Bloomington Local #49

Thanks again for helping to make the fundraiser so successful.  Plans are already underway for next year’s event.

Chuck Sullivan, President

Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois

District 4 Caucus

Firefighter Day at MDA Camp

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Firefighter Day at MDA Camp is coming up on August 2nd! See the flyer below for details.

Streamwood Labor History Presentation

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The AFFI Labor History Committee will present “Your Union. Your History” at Streamwood Fire Station 31 on July 29th.

Streamwood Firefighters Local 3022 and Barrett Firefighters Local 3982 will host the event. Refreshments and snacks will be provided. No registration is required.

 

Station 31

1204 S. Park Ave.

Streamwood, IL 60107

0900am- approx  1200

 

Contact Labor History Committee Chair Matt Hill with any questions.

[email protected]

(815) 671-3852

 

MAKE HISTORY HAPPEN!

Phillip “PhilPal” Palczynski

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Brothers and Sisters,

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Phillip “PhilPal” Palczynski of Arlington Heights, Local 3105. Brother Palczynski passed away Sunday, June 4th. Brother Palczynski was 53 years old and is survived by his wife, Susan, and two children, Kevin, and Kate.

Although this is not an activation, Brother Palczynski’s family and Local have asked for Honor Guard participation.

Brother Palczynski’s services are as follows:

Wake: Monday, June 12th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2000hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Procession: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 0930hrs, at Adams-Winterfield and Sullivan Funeral Home- 4343 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 0900hrs.

Mass: Tuesday, June 13th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at St. Joe’s Church- 4801 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

The affected Local is in District 5. Jeff Boetto and Leon Lake will be helping Arlington Heights coordinate the services. Please direct any questions you may have to them.

Please do what you can to attend. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Palczynski, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

American Railroad Association Training Resources

Recently the AFFI and The Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA) have had the opportunity to meet with leaders from the American Railroad Association (ARA). As you know, there have been some recent “newsworthy” derailments across the United States. The ARA asked that we share the attached letter with our membership and let you know about the AskRail app as well as free training (including travel and lodging) offered to first responders. All of the info can be found in the attachment or in the imbedded links.

Worker’s Memorial Day 2023

 

More than 50 years ago on April 28, Workers Memorial Day, the Occupational Safety and Health Act went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job—a fundamental right. The law was won because of the tireless efforts of the labor movement, which organized for safer working conditions and demanded action from the government to protect working people. Since then, unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality—winning protections that have made jobs safer and saved lives. But our work is not done. Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable.

 

2023 Illinois Workers’ Memorial Day Events

Join working families as they observe Workers Memorial Day on April 28

Pledge to continue the fight for SAFE JOBS NOW

Alton – The Greater Madison County Federation of Labor Workers Memorial program will be held Friday, April 28 at 7:00 PM at Gordon Moore Park, at the Workers Memorial Site, Highway 140, in Alton Illinois.  Please ask members and families to attend this annual program.  In the case of inclement weather, the program will be held indoors at the Muensterman Building.  Please notify Mike Fultz at 618-409-4314 or [email protected], or Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 if you know of a worker with a fatal or permanently disabling injury so that we may honor them during the program.

Bloomington – The Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly will gather at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 28, Workers Memorial Day, at Bloomington’s White Oak Park, 1514 N Cottage Avenue.  Over 300 names of area fallen workers will be read in a brief, pre-work ceremony

Champaign – Friday, April 28 – A memorial event is set for 5:00pm at the Champaign County Worker Memorial site in Dodds Park, 1501 N. Mattis Avenue in Champaign, IL.  Champaign County AFL-CIO President Matt Kelly and East Central Illinois Building & Construction Trades President Kevin Sage will be joined by elected officials and community leaders for remarks and a memorial wreath presentation, as they add the name of ride-share driver and aspiring veterinarian Kristian Philpotts to the memorial.

Chicago – The Chicago Federation of Labor is joining ARISE Chicago for a virtual, interfaith service on Friday, April 28 from 8:30-9:15 a.m. To register, visit https://forms.gle/Gwdj6Zg6w7geiaXHA. Additionally, Chicago Jobs with Justice will memorialize fallen workers on Wednesday, April 26 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in front of St. Agnes of Bohemia Catholic Church, 2651 S. Central Park Ave. in Chicago. Bring photos to commemorate your loved one.

Decatur – Friday, April 28, Decatur Trades and Labor Assembly Workers’ Memorial Day Service, 5:30 PM on the northwest corner of the Macon County Courthouse lawn, located at 253 West Wood Street in downtown Decatur.  There will be a guest speaker and reading of the names of those who have died on the job.  Contact Lloyd Holman, 217-620-4923 or Lamarcus Williams at 217-413-3577.

Galesburg – Friday, April 28, at 5:30pm at the Galesburg Trades & Labor office, 1640 N. Henderson Street in Galesburg.

Peoria –Friday, April 28, Labor Council of West Central Illinois Workers’ Memorial Service.  At 6:00 PM gather at the Workers’ Memorial Monument at City Hall, 419 Fulton Street, Peoria. A brief memorial service to honor our fallen brothers & sisters who have died or have been seriously injured as a result of workplace accidents.  Contact Lisa Uphoff at 309-672-1967 or Amy Flynn at 309-674-5181.

Quad Cities – USW Local 105, IBEW 1379 and ARCONIC Davenport Works leadership invite Quad City area working families to join them in a national observance of Workers Memorial Day.  On Friday, April 28, 2023, working families in the Quad City area will gather at the USW Local 105 hall to commemorate Workers Memorial Day.  This is a time for working families and union members to remember sisters and brothers who have died or been injured on the job.  Call 563-355-1181 for more information.

Rockford – Friday, April 28, the Rockford United Labor (RUL) Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 5:30 PM at the AFL-CIO monument behind the Zeke Giorgi State building, located at 200 South Wyman Street in Rockford.  RUL will honor those union members who have lost their lives on the job.  Following the ceremony, a special presentation will take place at the Nordlof theater where RUL will host NIU Professor Dr. Rosemary Fuerer as she presents her 28-minute documentary about honored labor leader Mother Jones.  The presentation will begin at 6:30 PM.  For more information, contact Sara Dorner at 815-608-0834.

Springfield – Friday, April 28, the Springfield & Central Illinois Trades & Labor Council and the Illinois AFL-CIO will host a press conference and ceremony at 10:00 AM at the Illinois AFL-CIO Front Plaza located at 534 S. Second Street in Springfield, IL.  The event will be dedicated to all who have lost their lives on the job.  Families of fallen workers will be invited and flowers will be placed in their memory.

MDA is Looking for Summer Camp Volunteers!

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Our partners at MuscularDystrophyAssociation are busy making plans for MDA Summer Camp!  They have a need for volunteers and medical team members to support this magical week of camp! This year, Summer Camp is taking place July 30th to August 4th in Hudson, IL. The 2023 MDA Summer Camp volunteer applications are now available online: mda.org/summer-camp/volunteer

Jermaine Pelt LODD

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It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Firefighter/EMT Jermaine A. Pelt  of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Pelt passed away Tuesday, April 4th while battling a house fire. Brother Pelt was 49 years old and is survived by two children.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated. 

Brother Pelt’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2200hrs, at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 4727 W 103rd St Oak Lawn IL  60453. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1900hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1830hrs.

Service: Friday, April 14th, 2023, at 1100hrs, at House of Hope 752 E 114th St. Chicago, IL 60628.

Interment: Friday, April 14th, 2023, following the service, at Lincoln Cemetery 12300 S. Kedzie Ave. Blue Island, IL  60406.

Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Pelt, his family, and his Local.

I know you all understand this means we’ll be carrying out our commitment Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week.  I know this is tough, but it’s what we all took an oath to do.  Please look out for each other.  I’ll see you all in a few days.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]

 

Lt. Jan Tchoryk LODD

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Brothers and Sisters,

I know most of you are already aware of the tragedies that struck Chicago, Local 2 this week. Two brothers gone in two days, on separate incidents. We have the arrangements for Lieutenant/EMT Jan Tchoryk. As soon as we get the information for Firefighter Jermain Pelt, I will forward it.

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Lieutenant Jan M. Tchoryk of Chicago, Local 2.  Brother Tchoryk passed away Wednesday, April 5th while battling a high-rise fire. Brother Tchoryk was 55 years old and is survived by his wife and three adult children.

By orders of AFFI President Chuck Sullivan, the AFFI Honor Guard is activated. 

Brother Tchoryk’s services are as follows:

Visitation: Wednesday, April 12th, 2023, from 1500hrs to 2100hrs, at Cumberland Chapels- 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL 60706. There will be a firefighter walk-through at 1930hrs. Honor Guard members should arrive no later than 1900hrs.

Service: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, at 1000hrs, at St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church- 5000 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago, IL 60656.

Interment: Thursday, April 13th, 2023, following the service, at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery- 8851 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631.

Please plan on attending, and please bring Local flags and tools for the services. I know, as always, you will all do Whatever It Takes to Honor, Cherish, Remember, and Salute Brother Tchoryk, his family, and his Local.

Fraternally,

Jay Coburn, Commander
AFFI Honor Guard
(708) 927-6568
[email protected]