Archive for January, 2013

Jakobsson and Chapa LaVia Sponsor Graduated Income Tax

by , posted on Saturday, January 26th, 2013 at 11:14 pm

Updated Monday, January 28th, 2013 at 8:37 pm

On Jan 9th, State Representative Naomi Jakobsson filed a bill that would give Illinois voters an opportunity to amend Illinois’ tax code and pave the way for a graduated income tax.

On Jan 23rd, State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia added her name as a co-sponsor to the bill.

The bill, HJRCA 0002 would amend the Illinois Constitution and allow for a graduated income tax. Please take a minute to sign our petition to Representatives Jakobsson and Chapa LaVia.

The language of the bill reads:

Proposes to amend the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution. Provides that individual income taxes may be at a graduated or a non-graduated rate. Provides that any such tax imposed on corporations shall be at a non-graduated rate, not to exceed the average of the lowest and highest individual rates by more than a ratio of 8 to 5. Effective upon being declared adopted.

If the bill passes the general assembly, Illinois voters would have to approve of the measure by voting “yes” on the November 2014 ballot before it went into law.

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Open letter to the editor on Reeder and pensions

by , posted on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013 at 9:44 pm

Dear Editor,

Scott Reeder, in a recent “special” to the Rockford Register Star, wrote about what the State of Illinois needs to do on State pensions.

As a corporate journalist Reeder wrote in boilerplate fashion expressing the wishes of the money hogs called the 2%. Reeder’s article was, however, wrong. It was wrong in it’s statements, it’s slant and it’s conclusion.

Reeder is doing the

“whining” actually. Reeder whines about working people getting a fair retirement pension. Reeder wants that pension money going into the already bulging pockets of the wealthy. I am sure Reeder is looking forward to a handsome pension from his corporate bosses.

Reeder’s argument comes down to blaming teachers for working, for paying into an agreed upon pension system and then fighting to keep what is rightfully theirs.

Reeder calls that “whining”.

I call it standing up for yourself.

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NIJWJ Forum: Dr. Ron Baiman, “Closing Tax Loopholes in Illinois”

by , posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at 8:40 pm

from Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Dr. Ron Baiman addresses the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum, “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions”, East Aurora High School, Aurora, Illinois, January 2, 2013.

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Aurora Pension Discussion – Videos and Bios

by , posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at 4:15 pm

A special thanks to our distinguished panelists (list and video links below), State Representative Linda Chapa LaVia, East Aurora High School and all of the volunteers who helped make one of the first “democratic pension discussions” a success.

Other blog and press coverage of the event can be found at FredKlonsky.com, Tim Furman’s blog, The Daily Herald, and The Aurora Beacon News (Suntimes affiliate).

Below the fold are all of the videos from the event.  We are also asking people to sign a petition that pushes for new funding proposals to fund pensions, create jobs and restore Illinois’ fiscal health.  These proposals are outlined by economists in the videos below.

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NIJWJ Forum: Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and Rep. Elaine Nekritz

by , posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at 12:16 am

from Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Illinois State Representatives Linda Chapa LaVia and Elaine Nekritz address the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum, “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions,” East Aurora High School, Aurora, Illinois, January 2, 2013.

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NIJWJ Forum: Dr. Jean Pierce, “A Graduated Income Tax”

by , posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at 12:14 am

from Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Dr. Jean Pierce addresses the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum, “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions,” on the benefits of moving to a graduated state income tax, East Aurora High, Aurora, Illinois, January 2, 2013.

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NIJWJ Forum: Maria Owens “Pension History 101”

by , posted on Monday, January 7th, 2013 at 12:13 am

from Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Retired teacher Maria Owens addresses the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum, “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions”, East Aurora High School, Aurora, Illinois, January 2, 2013.

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1996 Labor Party Convention – Video from Labor Beat

by , posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2013 at 10:40 pm

As the Democratic Party is back to pushing anti-union austerity proposals in Springfield this veto session, I find this video to be relevant. It also provides some important lessons.

The text below the fold was written by Larry Duncan (Labor Beat). Their work is important and deserves your financial support.

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NIJWJ Forum: Dr. William Barclay, “A Speculation Sales Tax”

by , posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2013 at 7:35 pm

from Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice

Dr. Willian Barclay address on the proposed speculation sales tax, at the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum, “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions,” East Aurora High School, Aurora, Illinois, January 2nd, 2013.

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NIJWJ Forum: Dr. Vincent Gaddis, “The Impact of Cost Shift on Aurora Students”

by , posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2013 at 7:33 pm

from Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice

Dr. Vincent Gaddis address on “The Impact of Cost Shift on Aurora Students” at the Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice forum “Funding Strong Schools and Fair Pensions,” East Aurora High School, AUrora, Illinois, January 2nd 2013.

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