We had a fantastic kickoff event yesterday, featuring Senate President John Cullerton, state Board of Education chairman Jesse Ruiz, former comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, many key coalition leaders, moving stories about the harm done by budget cuts to crucial services, and great energy behind our drive to pass a responsible budget.
Click the image below to view a Flickr set from the kickoff, and see below for links to media coverage.
WLS TV (ABC Channel 7): "A new organization called the Responsible Budget Coalition has united 93 groups to try to solve the state's budget crisis. The coalition seeks public and legislative support for tax reform to raise more revenue, maintain public services, and save jobs. Senate President John Cullerton said the senate wanted to be fair to low and moderate income-earners when it voted to increase the state income tax. 'So we said: Let's increase the earned income tax credit. Let's increase the personal exemption, and put that right in the bill. And give some property tax relief to folks who pay property tax. We put that in the bill,' said John Cullerton, (D) Senate president. Senator Cullerton urged the House to pass that legislation, so Illinois can pay its bills on time, fund its pensions, and meet its other needs."
Progress Illinois: "Hundreds gathered at a Chicago's Spertus Institute this afternoon to celebrate the launch of the Responsible Budget Coalition, which is calling on the General Assembly to pass a fair and balanced budget. ... Former comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, who made an income tax hike a major component of her 1994 gubernatorial campaign, was blown away by the energy in the room. With the state's debts growing and services endangered, she said now is the time to put 'patience aside' and get something done. On October 15, the Coalition will try to do just that by hosting a rally to in Springfield to welcome lawmakers back for the fall veto session. We'll be sure to follow their next moves."
If you couldn't be with us or want to relive it already, you can view raw footage of the event via Blue Room Stream.
