15,000 Jam Capitol to Protest Budget Cuts

Springfield, April 21 -- Over 4,000 AFSCME members joined with members of the teachers’ unions, the AARP, Lutheran Social Services, Action for Children and dozens of other organizations in the largest rally and march in more than a quarter century in Springfield.  Estimates of the number of participants vary. The Secretary of State's office estimate is 15,000, but observers believe the number was as high as 18,000.

The crowd was spirited and determined, demanding that legislators act now to pass HB 174 and prevent looming budget cuts that would drastically cut funding for education, child care, homecare for seniors and services for people with disabilities.

The theme of the day was “Save Our State” (SOS!).  State representatives have been standing idly by as Illinois sinks further into financial ruin.  Now they’re approaching the end of the legislative session and a looming budget disaster.  Governor Quinn’s budget plan for the coming fiscal year would cut nearly $3 billion—slashing funding for the education of Illinois children, state universities, local governments, and vital human services.

The Illinois Senate has already voted in support of HB 174 which would raise the revenues needed to fix the state’s budget woes.  But the House has refused to act.  Speaking before the assembled crowd, Council 31 Executive Director Henry Bayer summed up the message of the day’s activities::  “We do our jobs everyday.  We expect legislators to do theirs”. 

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