DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-56,190

KNOWLES ELECTRONICS, LLC
ITASCA, ILLINOIS

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19
USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents the results of
its investigation regarding certification of eligibility to apply
for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on December 9, 2004, in
response to a petition filed on behalf of workers of Knowles
Electronics, LLC., Itasca, Illinois. The workers at the subject
firm produced microphones\transducers.
The preponderance in the declines in employment at the
subject plant is related to a shift in plant production of
microphones\transducers to a country (China). The company
simultaneously increased their imports during the relevant
period.


In accordance with Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In addition, in order for the Department to issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group
eligibility requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be
met. The Department has determined in this case that the
requirements of Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers firm or subdivision to China of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm or subdivision, and there has been or is likely to
be increase in imports of like or directly competitive articles.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, I make the
following certification:



"All workers of Knowles Electronics, LLC. Itasca, Illinois,
who became totally or partially separated from employment on
or after December 6, 2003, through two years from the date
of certification are eligible to apply for adjustment assis-
tance under Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974 and are
also eligible to apply for alternative trade adjustment
assistance under Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974."

Signed in Washington, D.C., this 28th day of January 2005.


/s/ Elliott S. Kushner
______________________________
ELLIOTT S. KUSHNER
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance