Progress Illinois

Chicago’s political and business leadership and some local social activists have focused much attention on the upcoming NATO and G8 summits, held May 19 to May 21 at McCormick Place Convention Center. But the focus has been on summit-related issues, like much anticipated protests, security costs, and what the summit might do for the city’s tourism and global reputation.

Activists used the Chicago City Council's passage today of two ordinances that deal with protests in anticipation of the May G8/NATO summits to say Rahm Emanuel is trampling on First Amendment rights.

On the backs of the ordinary Americans, big banks have created the worst
economic crisis since the Great Depression.

American taxpayers came to the rescue with bailout money, but the banks refuse
to work to make our economy stronger for everyone. Through unfair ...

The private health insurance industry has gone to great lengths -- and spent big bucks -- to put a stranglehold on the health care reform debate. By the nonprofit watchdog Public Campaign Action Fund's count, insurance companies and HMOs have spent nearly $700,000 per day ...

During the next week, Chicago will play host to two political rallies: the "A New Way Forward" (ANWF) demonstration taking place tomorrow and the "Tax Day Tea Party" on April 15.  The two events share some similarities: Both are part of nationally ...

The latest episode of PBS' Bill Moyers Journal includes a 25-minute profile of Chicago community organizer James Thindwa, who works with the group Jobs with Justice. The report traverses many of the great organizing efforts that we've covered here at Progress Illinois over ...

The "New Way Forward" (ANWF) anti-bailout protests scheduled for April 11 are brilliant in their lack of institutional organization.  One of the main drags on widespread involvement in public demonstrations is that they're often sponsored by groups that ...

For the past few years, Cristina Garcia (pictured right) has hounded officials in Springfield and brought the campaign for humane immigration reform to the streets of Chicago. Last week, she took her advocacy to a whole new level. Through a national program hatched by the ...

It’s sundown on the fifth day
of a historic sit-in at Republic Windows and Doors, but workers at the
Chicago factory aren’t going anywhere.

We’re hearing that
representatives from United Electrical Workers (UE) have yet to strike
a deal with Republic management, ...