Illinois workers, students protest layoffs, cuts

Photo: Heather Stone

In one of the largest protests in Illinois in years, more than 15,000 workers and students from across the state descended on the state Capitol in Springfield, Ill., April 21 to demand legislators “show some guts” and pass progressive taxation to fund jobs, restore and increase public services and end structural debt to the banks. The workers and students staged a rally at the Capitol and then marched inside. There they confronted both Democrat and Republican legislators about their ongoing collusion with the bosses and bankers, who continue to close schools, lay off thousands, eviscerate public services, privatize and wage war.

The Responsible Budget Coalition, a coalition of more than 200 labor-community-student organizations led by unions such as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, UNITE-HERE and the Service Employees union, mobilized for weeks. Thus hundreds of buses and other vehicle caravans took over Springfield with fighting mad workers and students, primarily from the public sector but including private industry workers. The coalition and other organizations are increasing their pressure on the Illinois legislators through petitions, rallies, phone and e-mail campaigns and more. (www.abetterillinois.com)