Obama's HUGE Eff-Up.
"Unpaid Invoices and Mechanics' Liens
• Millions in Unpaid Bills: Multiple trade subcontractors state they are owed millions of dollars for change orders, design scope changes, and extra labor on the $850 million project, which ballooned well past its original $300 million estimate.
• Adamson Plumbing Shutdown: Adamson Plumbing Contractors suspended operations and laid off 25 union workers, citing $3.9 million in losses from project delays and filing a $1.72 million mechanic's lien.
• Additional Liens: Subcontractors like Area Erectors, CSI 3,000, and Floors Incorporated filed additional mechanics' liens totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars for work on the center's "Home Court" basketball and events facility.
• Reactions: Contractors report bankrolling work upfront under pressure to meet completion deadlines, while the Obama Foundation states that its support exceeded industry standards and that it has no direct disputed charges with the prime construction manager, Lakeside Alliance.
Operational Worker Unionization
• Staff Unionizing: Operational workers and staff at the Obama Foundation and library launched an effort to unionize with AFSCME Council 31 (forming Obama Workers United).
• Worker Complaints: Employees cite cut benefits, vague responses from management, and increasing workloads just months after the center's opening.
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Engineering News-Record
Three More Obama Presidential Center Contractors File $550 ...
Newly filed liens against general contractors Lakeside Alliance and Elevate Design Build total more than $550,000 By Jeff Yoders, ...
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Engineering News-Record
Obama Center Opens The Doors as Subcontractors Say Invoices ...
Jun 16, 2026 — Several union trade subcontractors weigh legal options By Jeff Yoders, Senior Editor, Technology Photo by Jeff Yoders/ENR Construc...
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Crain's Chicago Business
Obama Presidential Center contractors fight for payment
Jun 12, 2026 — The Obama Presidential Center was meant to lift up local contractors. Some are now fighting for survival."
