Workers at Obama suit maker await word on offer

Dozens of lawmakers are askingTreasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to pressure creditors of Hartmarx Corp. to allow the sale of the struggling menswear maker.

The 120-year-old Hartmarx filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January after banks cut off its credit. Its biggest creditor, Wells Fargo, has pushed to liquidate Hartmarx because it hasn't been able to repay $114 million.

Forty-three congressional members signed a letter sent Thursday to Geithner. They want Wells Fargo to accept one of three bids for Chicago-based Hartmarx because the bank received $25 billion in federal bailout money. The company also has a facility is Des Plaines.

One of the bids is from British company Emerisque Brands, and expires Thursday.

Hartmarx makes suits for President Barack Obama and employs more than 3,000 workers in Illinois, Indiana, New York and Alabama.