Susan Hurley

Susan Hurley is the Executive Director/Lead Organizer of Chicago Jobs with Justice and is looking forward to working with you to improve the lives of working people.

Office phone: 312-738-6161
Email: susanh@jwj.org

Background

I am originally from Rockford, Illinois where I was raised by educators in public schools. I was taught early on the importance of unions.

While in college, my mother, Verna Hurley, ran for state representative in the 69th district in 1998 as a Democrat and I was her campaign manager. Our family-run campaign was supported by organized labor and the state Democratic party. We were unsuccessful, but I was hooked on political activism. I finished my degree in Political Science from Northern Illinois University in 2001.

After graduation, I attended the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute and went to work for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), first on international staff and then as Lead Organizer at SEIU Local 20 (now part of Health Care Illinois-Indiana).

I ran a voter canvass office for America Coming Together in 2004 in La Crosse, Wisconsin and then in 2005, I was a Regional Field Organizer for MoveOn.org in the Southeast, based in Atlanta. I returned to the midwest and was Lead Organizer for the Campaign for Better Health Care until joining Chicago Jobs with Justice in August.

In all these experiences, I have learned that we absolutely have the power to build a better world together. I am honored and very excited to be Executive Director/Lead Organizer for Chicago Jobs with Justice and I look forward to working with you to win important battles and create a more just society for us all.

Siobhan Kolar

Siobhan Kolar is an organizer for Chicago Jobs with Justice.

Office phone: 773-738-6209
Email: siobhankolar@gmail.com

Background

Siobhan Kolar has worked in peace and justice activism since 2003. From 2005-2007 she worked at Fox Valley Citizens for Peace and Justice, doing a variety of public actions, legislative work and coalition building around antiwar issues.

She advocated for health care reform with HCAN, and is active in the western suburbs with the new coalition Jobs for All Illinois and as a leader in the West Suburban Faith-based PEACE Coalition. She has also worked on various political campaigns.

Siobhan met Executive Director of JWJ Susan Hurley at a legislative office visit advocating for health care reform. She will be working with the Unemployed Workers Council and on the Emergency Campaign for Jobs.