When Donna Krause went back to work at 59, she wasn't just looking for a paycheck, she was looking for stability. After her husband of 30 years in construction management became disabled and lost his job without union protection, Donna joined the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge with Teamsters Local 700 representation. The union, she says, made all the difference.

Now that story has earned her son a national honor.

Jake Krause, a senior at Northridge Preparatory School in Niles, has been awarded a $2,000 scholarship from the Teamsters Scholarship Fund for the 2026-2027 academic year. Jake will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business this fall.

In his application essay, Jake wrote about how union membership has shaped his family across generations — from his grandfather, an immigrant from Italy who found stability and fair treatment through Laborers Local 2, to his mother, whose Teamsters-represented position provided the security the family needed during one of its hardest chapters.

"The union supported my family both before and after I was born and ensured that we became successful members of the United States," Jake wrote, "success which I hope to further as I attend college."

"I had to find something that offers me a little more security because of my age,” said Donna.  “Getting on with the county, where the Teamsters represent us, it's been wonderful."

"Donna's story is one we hear from members all the time. The union is more than just a job benefit, it's a lifeline," said Teamsters Local 700 President Ramon Williams. "We're incredibly proud of Jake and what he's accomplished, and we look forward to watching him succeed in the years to come."

Congratulations to Jake and the entire Krause family. This is exactly what the labor movement is all about.