Steady Production Creating More Good-Paying Teamster Jobs, Coli Says

Chicago’s unprecedented success in the TV and film production market continues to flourish with the announcement of five series renewals, one new series, three pilots and at least three feature films for 2016.

NBC stalwarts “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago PD” and “Chicago Med” have been renewed for fifth, fourth and third seasons, respectively. Fox’s hot music industry drama “Empire” was picked up for a third season, and Netflix sci-fi series “Sense8” is shooting its second season.

More than 100 Teamsters Local 727 members work on the production of the TV series, hauling equipment, trailers and even cast and crew between locations, among other duties.

“We have made great strides in the TV industry, resulting in more jobs and more work for the men and women of our great state,” said John T. Coli, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727 and President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “Our crews, scenery and film studio can compete with anyone in the country, and we’re proving that time and again.”

In addition, Amazon’s new spy series “Patriot” will shoot nine episodes in Chicago.

Pilot season is in full swing with three Fox pilots — “Exorcist,” “Zoobiquity” and “APB” — filming this month at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and on location throughout Chicago.

This spring and summer, Chicago also will welcome an Amazon Films feature and a Dreamworks feature, and Michael Bay’s big-budget action franchise will return again this summer to shoot “Transformers 5.”

“The fact that these movies and TV shows keep coming back to Chicago is a testament to our members’ work ethic and performance,” Coli said.

Teamsters Local 727 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, America’s premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and northwest Indiana.