Congress Members Want Answers About Chicago's Lousy Mail Service

CHICAGO — U.S. Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03) led fellow Chicago-area congressional colleagues in penning a letter to U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy demanding that he address the deplorable mail delivery and customer service issues in parts of the Chicago area.

DeJoy, a North Carolina businessman who has donated millions of dollars to the Republican Party, including $1.2 million to former President Donald Trump’s victory fund, was appointed postmaster general last May by the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors. A New York native, DeJoy is the former chairman and CEO of New Breed Logistics.

Residents in Evergreen Park, Alsip, Bronzeville and other city neighborhoods have complained for months about not receiving mail for days and sometimes weeks at a time. A report by the inspector general highlighted the four worst-performing post offices located on the South and Southwest Side, including 83rd and Ashland, 77th and Cottage Grove, 46th Street and Cottage Grove and the 3600 block of West 79th Street.

“Far too many constituents across the Chicago region have gone days and sometimes weeks without mail. Our residents rely on postal mail to receive their medicine, bills, tax refunds, and essential documents but these delivery delays and customer service issues are causing them to lose faith in one of America’s most trusted and respected institutions. Our seniors are falling behind on their prescriptions and essential services are being shut off because bills were not delivered on time – this is unacceptable,” Newman said in a written statement. “Each of us knows that the USPS is crucial to the wellbeing of the communities we represent, which is why we are calling on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to review operations in the Chicago area, examine the staffing procedures and take the corrective actions necessary to immediately address these issues.”

The letter signed by members of Congress called on postal leadership to restore the public’s faith in the postal service that continues to fragment.

“The longer USPS leadership neglects to take the proper steps to find a solution, the greater the risk that the consequences for our constituents will become life-altering,” Newman said.

In addition to Newman, the letter to DeJoy was signed by U.S. House members Bobby Rush (IL-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Danny Davis (IL-07), Jesse “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Robin Kelly (IL-02).

The congressional members were careful not to lay blame on letter carriers, stating that many have risen to the challenges of the COVID-10 pandemic and in fact, have been heroes.

“However, it is our view that the challenges of COVID-19 have been inadequately addressed and that this failure is indicative of long-standing management and staffing issues that have plagued our constituents and your customers for years. It is long overdue for postal management and leadership to rise to the occasion.”

Read Chicago-area Congress members’ letter to Postmaster General DeJoy.

Chicago Delegation USPS Letter by Bradley Jones on Scribd