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* Background is here. The bill was amended and then passed the House, but has stalled in the Senate. Press release…
In response to Sen. Michael Hastings, sponsor of the Illinois critical infrastructure bill HB 1633, tabling his anti-protest bill, Greenpeace USA Executive Director Annie Leonard said:
“HB 1633 was a completely unnecessary attempt by the fossil fuel industry and secretive groups like ALEC to divide the progressive movement at the exact moment when we most need to mobilize quickly toward real solutions to climate change. Over 50 civil rights organizations, labor unions, and grassroots groups worked together to defeat this bill. Nearly 6,000 witness slips opposing the bill were submitted compared to a paltry 215 by the bill’s proponents. Our collective message was clear: Illinois does not need such a harmful and unnecessary law on the books. We are pleased Sen. Hastings listened to our concerns and wisely chose to table this bill.
“We need elected officials who are champions for people and the planet. We need our lawmakers fearless in the face of oil and gas money in politics. We need them believing the science, telling the truth, and speaking out for their constituents over corporations. Sen. Hastings did the right thing by tabling HB 1633, not just for the state, but as an example that shows that we the people need a healthy democracy to protect our planet.”
One of organized labor’s few defeats this year. But, hey, maybe it’ll pop up elsewhere. I asked Sen. Hastings why he tabled the bill and he didn’t respond.
…Adding… From Sen. Hastings…
Rich -
Given the text of the original House Bill 1633 & its sweeping passage in the Illinois House of Representatives (77 Yes, 28 No), I had serious concerns as to some of the provisions contained in the bill.
Understanding that, I proposed an amendment that would bring the legislation in compliance with the Senate Clear Committee. Unfortunately, due to the limited amount of time left in the legislative session, I chose to table the bill in order to bring all interested parties together over the summer.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 3:52 pm
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Should have never been let out of the House. A solution in search of a problem, with a very shaky Constitutional grounding.
The AFL-CIO is playing ball with ALEC? For crying out loud, they’d put you out of business in a minute if they could. Use your head.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:06 pm
This was a good bill. Protected workers from getting injured when someone tried to sabotage critical infrastructure.
Comment by 360 Turnaround Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:09 pm
Trades be’in trades.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:30 pm
Exactly what I thought, Word. I wonder if Carrigan heard from membership?
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:33 pm
Nothing ALEC does is good for workers. Good riddance to a horrible bill.
Comment by northsider (the original) Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:36 pm
An Anagram for AFL-CIO ALEC is:
Facile Coal
Comment by Ok Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:55 pm
An Anagram of “ALEC-Labor” is even more appropriate:
CABALLERO
Comment by Ok Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 4:57 pm
But isn’t it true that critical Infrastructure (dams, pipelines, utility lines, etc.) that are not being constructed due to sabotage are therefore not creating construction jobs? And as stated above, are not trade union laborers and indeed entire communities being placed at risk when these kinds of attacks occur?
Comment by Snicarte Slim Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 5:26 pm
I realize that we’re not on an ocean but Greenpeace is not a great spokesgroup considering they ram ships on open seas threatening their lives and worker lives in addition to spilling fuel into oceans.
Comment by Greenpeace Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 5:36 pm
–But isn’t it true that critical Infrastructure (dams, pipelines, utility lines, etc.) that are not being constructed due to sabotage are therefore not creating construction jobs?–
List of such Illinois projects, please.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, May 29, 19 @ 5:45 pm
It appears that Senator Hastings has captured Labor’s bill and is now holding it hostage.
Comment by Carl Von Clausewitz Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 8:28 am
Heck, Wordslinger, let’s raise the bar a little. Can folks list any “critical infrastructure” in the Midwest being “sabotaged” by environmental protestors?
My suspicion is that this is an ALEC project to get these laws on the books, so that when a case challenging it winds up in front of an appellate or the Supreme Court, ALEC and its affiliates can file amicus briefs saying, “It’s on the books in (25 or more) states”, in an attempt to sway the Court’s final decision.
Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, May 30, 19 @ 9:00 am