Bean criticized for free trade pact support

By Ralph Zahorik
STAFF WRITER
WAUKEGAN — U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, D-Barrington, was taken to task this week for her support of the new Central American Free Trade Agreement.
The agreement will hurt the environment, send more U.S. jobs overseas and cost consumers billions, Lake County labor leaders and activists were told by Lori Wallach of Public Citizen, a consumer research and advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader.
Wallach was invited to speak after the labor organization dropped Bean as its "Person of the Year" honoree at the dinner held last Sunday because of Bean's vote for CAFTA. The national AFL-CIO strongly opposed the agreement. Bean was the only Illinois Democrat in Congress who voted for the agreement, which passed the House by just one vote.