More than 1,000 Chicago-area seniors and their allies took part in an act of civil disobedience today to push back against cuts to safety net programs, like Medicare and Social Security. The group rallied outside of the offices of U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D) and Mark Kirk (R) at Federal Plaza.
“I made the decision to participate in civil disobedience as an act of conscience," said Emily Byrd with the Jane Adams Senior Caucus (JASC). I could no longer stand idly by while vital safety net programs are in danger of being cut. What is at stake is not only seniors' ability to live with dignity and economic security, but the future of our country. I am here today to fight not just for seniors, but for my children and grandchildren.”
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An summit geared towards the immigrant community Saturday highlighted Illinois’ pro-immigrant policies and also controversy between Cook County and
federal immigration officials.
Last night, Illinois legislators joined their counterparts in the House to vote on the debt ceiling deal, which calls for cutting at least $2.1 trillion in spending over the next decade. The bill passed the House 269 to 161 and Illinois House members voted in a split fashion.
Teachers everywhere have always stressed one simple rule when speaking to their students about college: work hard and the scholarships
will come. But as we look at some policies in play related to funding
for higher education, it seems that some lawmakers may disagree with that notion. Illinois legislators are bestowed with the power to hand
out tuition waivers, but, unfortunately, corruption has sullied that process. On the other
hand, the state’s DREAM Act is meant to give undocumented students
better access to higher education funding. It has gotten support, but has
yet to be signed into law.