Nearly 5,000 IEA members from throughout Illinois were in Springfield Wednesday, among the estimated 15 thousand participants in what might have been the biggest-ever State Capitol rally of its type. (see rally and march photos)
The Save Our Schools/Save Our State (SOS) rally, sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition (RBC), sought to convince lawmakers to act to end the state budget crisis. State government is facing a shortfall of $13 billion. It is estimated as many as 20,000 education employees will be laid off this August, causing larger class sizes, the elimination of music, arts and sports programs in many districts and an overall decline in education quality statewide.
“We have a crisis that is on the brink of becoming a tragedy” said IEA President Ken Swanson. “The legislature must act now.”
The best solution is for the Illinois House to pass HB 174, or something like it, which would provide a comprehensive tax reform measure. HB 174 cleared the Illinois Senate last spring but has not been voted on in the House.
“It will take revenue to save our schools and save our state,” Swanson said. “Our message to lawmakers is they must end the bad behavior that led to this crisis and address the revenue needs of the state.”
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