Obama Center subcontractor shuts down amid $4M fight, lays off 25Fox News ^ | July 23, 2026 | Michael DorganPosted on by PBRCatWeeks after the Obama Presidential Center’s star-studded opening in Chicago, a subcontractor who previously claimed his company was stiffed for nearly $4 million has shut down operations and laid off 25 union workers. Owen described the shutdown as a painful decision he believed was necessary to save the company from bankruptcy. "Laying off close to 30 people is something that no owner in our industry wants to do," Owen said. "It’s a hard thing to do, especially when you know you can finish them and the company can still make money. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.