PUBLISHER'S PEACE

Governor Bruce Rauner Presents False Choices

Guest Correspondent: H. Gelder

This week, Governor Bruce Rauner outlined his proposal to bring stability to Illinois’ fiscal crisis. Fair Economy Illinois believes Illinois is in a revenue crisis, not a spending crisis. Governor Rauner’s proposals will devastate every community across the state and continue to hinder Illinois’ economic recovery.

The Governor has called for “shared sacrifice,” but vital services have been cut repeatedly in recent years. The people who depend on these services have already made deep sacrifices. They should not be asked to sacrifice even more.

“Governor Rauner said he would shake up Springfield. Instead he is showing us more of the same – balancing the budget on the backs of hardworking Illinoisans and the most vulnerable, while continuing to let Big Corporations and the 1% off the hook. His proposals are just horrifying,” said Sonny Garcia of Illinois People’s Action in Bloomington.

“There is plenty of money in Illinois. Our legislators and governor just need to decide to get it from those who can afford to pay more. The money is not in programs that allow seniors to live dignified lives, or in hard earned retirement funds for public workers, and or in health benefits for low-income people. The money is on LaSalle Street, in corporate tax loopholes and the bulging pockets of the one percent,” said Toby Chow of IIRON on Chicago's south side.

The responsible solution is to generate the revenue needed to put Illinois on a path to sustainable prosperity. We know there are many options for the state to generate adequate revenue. To say that there is “no choice but to make cuts” is cynical and false. “Governor Rauner is making a choice. He is choosing to cause further devastation for our communities instead of taxing his millionaire friends and big corporations,” said Eugene Lim of ONE Northside in Chicago.

Fair Economy Illinois has a revenue package that would end the debate over cuts to critical programs in Illinois. It would raise billions in new revenue so we can truly invest in the people of Illinois. It includes a financial transactions tax on LaSalle Street trades, raising income tax rates on millionaires through a graduated income tax, closing corporate tax loop holes, corporate tax transparency, and refinancing the pension debt to take the pressure off the current general revenue fund.

Fair Economy Illinois is a statewide alliance that organizes urban, suburban and rural residents around issues that affect the common good. We organize people and money in order to: 1) limit the power of corporations and private interests in our state; 2) ensure adequate revenue for the State of Illinois to fulfill its primary functions so Illinoisans may lead dignified lives with strong public education, high quality infrastructure, fully funded human services and public safety, and; 3) protect our environment and natural resources from corporate exploitation.

The alliance comprises three organizations: IIRON, Illinois Peoples’ Action (IPA), and Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality. For more details, contact Hannah Gelder, Senior Organizer, ONE Northside at hgelder@onenorthside.org or 847-219-5062.

NOTE: Now is the time to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VITE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. is finding himself in a dog fight, but he should recover well and retain his coveted seat on the Westside. He has a proven track record, but the ward is diversifying, and he may no longer be needed to move the area forward.

Michael Scott, Jr. has an iconic name on the Westside. His beloved dad was a man who powered that community, and now his off spring is attempting to continue that legacy and become the alderman of the 24th ward. That battle is tough to call. Good luck to Scott and all the other candidates.

David Moore is running for 17th ward alderman and he is expected to win that race. Through his work as a community organizer and in several campaigns, he has connected with people and issues in every corner of the ward.

9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale has been one lucky dude. Every four years the knives comes out and his post gets more than its share of opponents running against him, and he somehow keeps coming out victorious. This is a different election in his remapped ward. So good luck to him and his many, many competitors.

POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW

Dear Friends, on Tuesday, Governor Bruce Rauner proposed a budget that would have very serious consequences for the State of Illinois. In his address, he called for massive cuts to Medicaid, community mental health, addiction services, higher education, mass transit, and critical programs like Ceasefire and After School Matters.

This is a devastating budget for our economy, for the middle class, for the working poor, and for our most vulnerable citizens who rely on critical state services. The Governor says he wants to be compassionate, and cares deeply about the plight of poorer downstate counties and minority communities, but this budget isn't that.

If the Governor wants to talk about shared sacrifice or tough medicine, let's talk about reforming a system where two-thirds of corporations pay no income taxes, and where 50 percent of the savings from the rollback of the tax increase went to the richest one percent. Let's talk about asking those folks to pay their fair share for the roads and bridges they rely on to move their goods to and from the market, the schools that educate their workers, and the investments that improve the buying power and quality of life of the middle class and our seniors.

We can be fiscally responsible and protect our most vulnerable citizens. This budget fails to do either. I will continue to fight for a budget that is fair for everyday, working people by calling on my colleagues to support revenue generating measures such as closing corporate tax loopholes and my bill to create a progressive income tax.

Please feel free to stop by my office at 449 E. 35th St. or call 773.924.1755 with any questions or concerns you may have. In solidarity, Christian Mitchell, State Representative, 26th District.