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Rally report

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Illinois

Paul just got back from today’s school funding rally. He said he didn’t think that organizers met their goal of 6,000 participants. We’ll upload pics soon, and perhaps some audio.

Meanwhile, I’ve been keeping half an eye on this anti-GRT resolution, which appears to be gaining steam…

While the rally was going on outside the State Capitol, some lawmakers inside the building continued their opposition to the GRT. A majority of the Illinois House of Representatives — every Republican legislator and nine Democrats — have signed on to a GOP-sponsored resolution opposing Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s gross receipts tax proposal.

“Bipartisan support outside of this chamber and in this chamber shows that (the) gross receipts tax is DOA,” said House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, who introduced the resolution. “I think we’ve sent a strong message to the governor.”

“There is a loud and clear message now that the governor has to hear — that the GRT proposal is unacceptable,” said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. “He now knows that it will not pass in the House of Representatives.”

Back in a bit with pics.

OK, as usual, click for larger images…

The Crowd chanting at the start of the rally…

[audio:education-rally-chanting.wav]

A particularly intense speaker…

[audio:intense-speaker.wav]

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 12:40 pm

Comments

Anyone know which nine Dems?

Comment by So Ill Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 2:27 pm
Rich … I have some video from my Treo if I you want it. Maybe not 6000 but it was a large turnout … especially when the CPS got there about 11

Comment by YNM Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 2:39 pm
Franks, Fritchey, Joyce, Chapa LaVia, Flowers, Mendoza, Gordon, Dugan, Soto

Comment by The 9 with spines Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 3:27 pm
“We want 15 carryover sick days and 20 carryover vacation days a year in addition to summers off with our $80,000 salaries, 85% pensions at 20 years with free healthcare and benefits and 3% auto-colas for the rest of our lives.”

“We want 15 carryover sick days and 20 carryover vacation days a year in addition to summers off with our $80,000 salaries, 85% pensions at 20 years with free healthcare and benefits and 3% auto-colas for the rest of our lives.”

“We want 15 carryover sick days and 20 carryover vacation days a year in addition to summers off with our $80,000 salaries, 85% pensions at 20 years with free healthcare and benefits and 3% auto-colas for the rest of our lives.”

Not a catchy chant but they got their point across.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 3:58 pm
Jeff … don’t quit your day job.

Comment by b-matt Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 4:05 pm
Jeff … don’t quit your day job.

Comment by b-matt Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 4:05 pm
Jeff, really, you have to let your hatred of your grade school teachers go. It’s not healthy.

Comment by teach Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 4:38 pm
hehehehehe, I’ll let it go when they change tenure so she could atually get fired for being horrible. Just think of the kids, all of those kids that came after me that had to put up with her because only two tenured teachers on average each year in the entire state of Illinois are fired for being horrible.

Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 4:52 pm
Jeff, at least you’re using facts and not hyperbole in your comments. Otherwise they’d just be over the top.

I could go round and round on tenure with you, but unfortunately it’s not the topic of the post, and I’m not sure it would do either of us any good.

Comment by b-matt Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 5:54 pm
Jeff is right teachers dont care about the kids they care about paid holidays long vacations and full time pay for a 3/4 time job.

Comment by fed up Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 7:52 pm
school funding rally?? Huh. It looked like a weight watchers convention was in town.

Comment by publikskulejukated Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 9:48 pm
YBM, send it over.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 2, 07 @ 11:11 pm
Rich … will do later today when I can get to it.

Comment by YNM Thursday, May 3, 07 @ 8:06 am