The following is from Keith Kelleher, president of SEIU* Healthcare Illinois
and Indiana, on the passage of the tax break package passed by the Illinois House earlier today.
By granting a large
tax break today to one of Illinois’ most prosperous companies, the
Illinois House has concentrated more wealth in the hands of the rich,
even as average workers are literally taking to the streets to decry
growing income inequality.
While we applaud the House for passing a
separate bill that expands the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-wage
households, the benefits of this measure are eclipsed by the magnitude
of the tax breaks lawmakers approved for the state’s corporate
heavyweights. For every one dollar in tax breaks the House has given to
workers struggling to propel themselves out of poverty, it has doled out
nearly two dollars to corporations.
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The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this web site, has issued their endorsements for the upcoming March 20 primary races.
For the second consecutive Saturday, the Occupy Chicago movement flexed its muscles with a 2,000-person march down Jackson Ave. and attempted occupation of Grant Park. More than 100 Chicago police officers surrounded the park warning protesters of the 11 p.m. park curfew and the risk of possible arrest.
A massive rally will kickstart an effort to '
Janitors and supporters in 22 cities across the country rallied for fair wages and good jobs in preparation for new contract negotiations as the agreements are set to expire in the next year.
