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Rep. Harper takes “Esther Golar Pledge”

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Illinois

* The first press release I’ve seen quoting the Illinois House’s newest member is from SEIU Healthcare…

Just moments after she was appointed by committeemen to fill the vacant 6th District House seat late Tuesday, community activist Sonya Harper signed the “Esther Golar Pledge” to support Senate Bill 570 and reverse the dangerous cuts to the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) promulgated by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The unilateral cuts already have excluded more than an estimated 15,000 families from CCAP.

Golar’s last legislative act before her death was to vote for SB 570 and Harper vowed to carry on the legacy of fighting for kids when a vote on the bill comes before the House on Nov. 10th:

“In an act of total bravery and at great risk to herself, Representative Golar came to Springfield to defy Bruce Rauner and stand up for the people of the 6th District. Her very last vote was to reverse his cruel cuts to child care, which do not solve our budget crisis but DO harm our economy and hurt working families.

“I have pledged to honor Representative Golar’s legacy and, on November 10th, I hope to join my new colleagues in voting to roll back the Rauner rules which are causing needless devastation to vulnerable residents of the 6th District and across all Illinois.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:19 pm

Comments

Welcome Rep. Harper!

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:28 pm
“Esther Golar Pledge”

Not surprised to see SEIU continue to use Esther Golar’s name for political purposes. smh

Comment by NOTFUNNY Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:31 pm
@ Notfunny……Methinks Esther would approve, rest her soul.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:40 pm
@NOTFUNNY
Like how Rauner uses IPI or the rest of the (not sll) majority of the ILGOP as his subsidiary by buying votes or threatening them? I actually see them as a good thing, great way to carry out her name.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:40 pm
==I actually see them as a good thing, great way to carry out her name.==

Co-opting and speaking in the name of the deceased for political purposes rarely turns out well.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Unless you are the child of a deceased politician running, in part, on their name recognition.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:45 pm
Like how Ronald Regan’s name is used by the GOP like he is the greatest thing that walked on this Earth since Jesus? Or, using the word “Freedom” ? Like we’re going to “increase competition through freedom of choice and empower more people to go to the welfare roles”

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:09 pm
Yes, welcome Rep. Harper. And, thank you for your personal pledge to honor Rep. Golar’s legacy.

Comment by Former Hoosier Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:13 pm
==Methinks Esther would approve==

What makes you think that? Is it that she voted for the bill? Well, so did 69 other members. Esther just so happened to pass away a few days after voting on that legislation and others. Should AFSME ask legislator’s to take the “Esther Golar Pledge” for their legislation too?

Just stop with the Esther Golar thing. Let the woman rest in peace.

Comment by NOTFUNNY Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:18 pm
I think she was just trying to respect her and acknowledge her. This probably means something to Esther family. It is a common statement many people use, not only in politics, out of respect.

Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:33 pm
I don’t think that Rep. Harper is disturbing Esther’s resting in peace. It is carrying on her legacy. I think any one can relate to that.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:50 pm
===What makes you think that?===

Ever talk to Esther? Ever listen to her floor speeches, her songs?

If you had, you wouldn’t be spewing something that I can’t talk about on a civilized blog. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:52 pm
= What makes you think that? Is it that she voted for the bill? Well, so did 69 other members. Esther just so happened to pass away a few days after voting on that legislation and others. Should AFSME ask legislator’s to take the “Esther Golar Pledge” for their legislation too?=

Esther literally risked her life (which is even more obvious today than at the time) to come to Springfield to do her job. We don’t know if was the AFSCME veto or the Child Care veto that caused her to take that risk , but what we do know is Esther’s record for sticking up for children and families.

And Esther’s passing was not coincidence of timing…..to suggest so is ignorant to the facts of what happened in her final weeks.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:54 pm
It seems that Esther was a very political human, a force taking action for her beliefs during her life, all the way to the end. Extremely inspiring and exciting that she is being honored by her successor to follow this path.

I sure wish Dunkin thought the same as these two legislators about the CCAP program and would support people making 51% of federal property level by voting for SB570.

Comment by cdog Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Well, at least we won’t have to wonder whose pocket she’s in.

Comment by #freedumb Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:05 pm