HELRA Board Member

In Memory of our dear friend and the founder of HELRA.

June 1, 1931 - January 14, 2024 

There is not a hotelier in the area unfamiliar with the name Arnie Karr. He has helped serve, shape and elevate Chicagoland area hotels for decades. He is so dedicated, that serving the hotel industry is the sole job he has had in his long and strong career.

Karr is the founder and first Chief Operating Officer of the Chicago area Hotel Employer Labor Relations Association (HELRA).  Prior to that he was at the helm of the Illinois Hotel Association.

Retired now, one would hardly know it. Still active with HELRA as a trustee, Karr created the association that hoteliers can turn to and trust for labor negotiations, human resources information, networking and overall support.

“The importance of HERLA was and still is to be the communications link on all labor issues. I take great pride in the negotiations work that the association has achieved,” Karr said recently. “We’ve heard over 1,000 grievances, every possible thing one can imagine. In the end the goal remains the same: success and longevity for hotels and their employees - exceling in the highest standards that Chicago area hotels are known for worldwide.”

A business graduate from DePaul University with a Master of Science in Labor Relations, Karr said the function and for HELRA has always existed. Prior to 1985, there were two associations serving Chicago and downstate hotels with phantom committees representing nonunion and union hotels. Karr was given the task in the 1980s to merge the two and the Hotel and Motel Association of Illinois was born. Later it was renamed and the disassociation between union and non-union hotels was removed. Today, the basic function of HELRA is to foster a harmonious relationship between the labor unions and the member hotels. The mission has morphed over the years from one contract serving all hotels, to each hotel crafting their own contract. Chicago hotels are unique and there is no one-size fits solution to labor relations.

HELRA has always ensured its boards – and memberships – consist of prominent leaders who are great promoters of the area. Starting with Arnie, all share the goal prosperity for HELRA members in one of the world’s the most impactful cities.