As the deadline looms for Congress to agree on a budget plan that
would avoid an automatic series of spending cuts, a coalition of
worker rights', veteran and anti-poverty advocates convened at Federal
Plaza Thursday to voice their concerns over the potential negative
impact such a move would have for the most vulnerable Americans.
More than $1 trillion in cuts over the next decade, known as sequestration, are set to go into effect March 1. According to a report
released last September by the White House Office of Management and
Budget, reductions would be made across the board, impacting more than
1,200 agencies and programs.
Singing such tunes as “Stop in the
Name of Love”, some 40 to 50 protesters stood in the cold to give what
organizers described as a “Valentine’s Day message” to both Illinois
Democrat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk to preserve
funding for the country’s social safety net.
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On a dreary day in an area that has seen more than its fair share of
ethically-challenged elected officials, an expectedly low voter turnout
was the story at many polling places Tuesday as residents came out to
cast their ballots in the race to replace former Illinois 2nd
Congressional District U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Freezing rain began to slick over the sidewalks this morning just as
Democratic candidate for the 2nd congressional district Debbie Halvorson
voted at the Steger Community Center.
