The following is a statement from Make Wall Street Pay Illinois on the passage of SB 397.
Make Wall Street Pay Illinois is deeply disappointed in the State Senate’s action today and we call on Governor Pat Quinn to veto this fundamentally flawed piece of legislation. SB 397 is a corporate welfare bill that sends Illinois’ budget priorities in the exact wrong direction.
To add insult to injury, CME Group and other large corporations demonstrated that they have the power to convene the entire state legislature. The only reason the General Assembly met yesterday and today was to pass this tax break. Do such massive corporate interests have more power than Speaker Mike Madigan, Senator John Cullerton or Governor Pat Quinn? The laid-off teachers, fire-fighters and social service providers deserve urgent attention but do not call the legislature when things did not go their way in the legislature.
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City drivers could soon face more than just a ticket for a red-light violation if pending legislation in Springfield passes. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is advocating for the bill, which would give the city the ability to ticket speeders in so-called public safety zones through the use of the already existing red-light camera system and the installation of ground-based speed strips.
Robin Hood and a group of rallyers made a special appearance outside of the mayor's office Tuesday to protest Rahm Emanuel's support of Senate Bill 405, aimed at giving the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Exchange large tax breaks. The proposed bill comes in the wake of the monthlong Occupy Chicago protests in front of the Board of Trade building. 
