Page 6 - 01A_CL7_OCT20.indd

CATANZARA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
more professional manner. We are not going to be told to just shut up and take it.
And we will not rest until we get what is right.
Work Daze
Speaking of rest, who couldn’t use a day of rest right now? I literal- ly have received worksheets from six different districts showing how some of the changes are causing the long work hours and cancelled days off.
It’s amazing how you continue to work faithfully and tirelessly with the way the Department is creating and disbanding units and taking cars out of districts to send them downtown. I saw one from 014 where just five cars were working one night. And they were al- ready short because of having to guard the mayor’s house.
Under the contract, we can’t challenge these decisions. But we can challenge what is it doing to officer safety. Safety concerns hav- en’t been addressed in expedient manner.
We have already filed in Judge Dow’s court on June 30 after every- body had worked 20-plus days without a day off. We filed a motion related to the consent decree.
But they just don’t get it. The effects of exhaustion are more severe than alcoholism. You can’t come to work drunk, so how can they let us come to work exhausted? If they continue to insist how much they care about officer wellness, they will not subject us to these working conditions.
Voter inspiration
Lodge 7 is taking more political action than ever. Our endorse- ments are being backed by financial support, and we are getting in the political game. We have the voice of nearly 20,000 members, and that will be heard.
The best way to do that is at the polls. Read all about our endorsed candidates beginning on page 31 of this issue. Or just take the cover of this issue with you to the voting booth.
Remember, when you cast that vote, do not forget about your job.
We understand that members tend to focus on their personal ideals. But the issues need to take a backseat to what’s best for your job, what’s best for your profession.
This job allows you to do everything for our lives and for our fami- lies. It puts food on the table, enables us to buy cars and to take vaca- tions. We have fought hard for the benefits and protections we have, and there are many candidates out there who want to take them away, all the way to the top of the ticket. That’s a big reason why the Lodge 7 board voted unanimously to support President Trump.
And I need to say a few words about Pat O’Brien for Cook County state’s attorney. Actually, I have more than a few words, and most of them are directed at Kim Foxx.
No more fussing around. Kim Foxx needs to be replaced. This isn’t an attack on Kim Foxx because she’s black or because she’s a female. This is an attack on Kim Foxx because she has a different idea of what law enforcement and justice mean. The Democratic machine will say we are picking on her because she’s black. It’s not about that. It’s about job performance.
There needs to be a mindset that the laws matter. We need prose- cutors to process them and not make up the rules as they go along. Like Kim Foxx has.
Pat O’Brien has a résumé that is second to none in Cook County. He has done it all and seen it all. He has great ideas, and he will be the one – the only one – who will keep repeat offenders and convict- ed murderers from being released back onto the streets.
We are also endorsing candidates like Detective Jeffrey Mue- hlfelder, Brad Stephens, Mike Fricilone, Sargis Sangari and Willie Wilson for Senator Dick Durbin’s seat, not just to challenge the ma- chine. These are candidates who will stand up for law and order as a priority over any party affiliation.
We are supporting them with our PAC fund, but we also need members to be foot soldiers for them. If you have a day or an hour, volunteer for a candidate in your district. Pass out palm cards or knock on doors. It’s in the best interest of your job.
6 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ OCTOBER 2020