Following Trump’s Lead, Rauner Protects Wealthy Money Managers in Budget Address
On Wednesday, Governor Rauner delivered his fourth budget address which was long on rhetoric, but short on solutions. The following is a statement from Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative. “Today, Governor Rauner again failed to present a budget proposal that would lead Illinois towards stability and prosperity for all. Instead, he proposed that […]
llinois Must Pursue State Level Solutions to Counteract Failures in GOP Tax Bill
Grassroots Leaders and State Legislators Push to Close Carried Interest Loophole in Illinois Following Passage of GOP Tax Bill Chicago, IL – As Congress continues to pass legislation and policy that is out of line with the values of the American people, states and cities have jumped in to take action to protect their residents, […]
Grassroots Collaborative Response to Mayor Emanuel’s Budget Address
Chicago, IL – The following is a statement from Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative on Mayor Emanuel’s budget address. “Today’s budget address shows Mayor Emanuel’s continued commitment to policies that have failed Chicago’s families as he continues to prioritize the interests of city elites over those of working families. The Mayor has continued […]
Governor’s $15 Veto Will Hold Back Economy and Increase Economic Inequality in Illinois
Chicago, IL – On Friday, Governor Rauner vetoed SB 81, which would have gradually raised the state minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2022. Grassroots Collaborative is a labor-community coalition representing tens of thousands of Illinois low-income families whose lives and communities would have greatly benefited from the passage of SB 81. The following […]
Finally. Statement on Override of Governor Rauner’s Budget Veto
Chicago, IL – Today, the Illinois House joined the Senate in overriding Governor Rauner’s veto of the state budget giving the state its first budget in years. The following is a statement from Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative. “Finally, state legislators have pushed aside Rauner’s obstructionism to pass a state budget. Community residents […]
IL Senate Passes Hedge Fund Tax to Close Loophole
Illinois Department of Revenue Estimates SB 1719 Would Raise $1.7 Billion for State in First 12 Months Chicago, IL – On Tuesday, May 23rd, the Illinois Senate voted 34-24-1 in favor of passing SB 1719. The legislation places a privilege tax on Hedge Fund and Private Equity Managers like Bruce Rauner and Ken Griffin who […]
Rauner Donors Get Visit From Upset Residents on Tax Evasion Trolley Tour
Community Groups Demand Hedge Fund Managers Profiting From Carried Interest Loophole Pay Fair Share to Help Solve State Budget Crisis Chicago, IL – On Thursday, community residents being impacted by the school funding crisis and state budget impasse took part in a Tax Evasion Trolley Tour to the homes of Hedge Fund political donors […]
Village of Robbins Calls on Governor Rauner to Put People Before Wall Street Banks
Robbins Unanimously Passes Resolution against Predatory Bank Deals Draining State and Local Budgets, asks for Attorney General to Take Action Robbins, IL – On the eve of Governor Rauner’s budget address the Village of Robbins Board of Trustees passed a resolution targeting Wall Street banks that have drained hundred of millions of dollars from taxpayers […]
As Violence Soars, Governor Continues to Pursue Personal Political Agenda Over Needs of Residents
Grassroots Collaborative Statement on Governor Rauner’s 2017 State of the State Address Chicago, IL – On Wednesday, Governor Rauner delivered his third state of the state address without having successfully passed a budget. The following is a statement from Amisha Patel, Executive Director of Grassroots Collaborative. “Today, Governor Rauner attempted to borrow from the Trump […]
Grassroots Collaborative Statement on Mayor Emanuel’s FY17 Budget Address
Chicago, IL – On Tuesday, community leaders and residents listened as Mayor Emanuel delivered his FY17 budget address. Although Emanuel agreed to release some of the city’s surplus TIF funds under mounting pressure from parents, teachers, community organizations, groups expressed disappointment that Emanuel again failed to ask Chicago’s most wealthy individuals and corporations to contribute […]
Illinois Dems Target Carried Interest Loophole
News LinkBy -Michael J. Bolognaby GRCAdmin
Legislation addressing the so-called “carried interest loophole” is gaining momentum in Illinois after the release of data finding the measure would generate $473 million for the cash-starved state. Grassroots Collaborative, a coalition of labor unions and human service organizations, April 19 touted passage of a new privilege tax on private equity firms, hedge funds and […]
As Obama exits scene, Chicago legacy debated
News LinkBy -Bill Ruthhart, Rick Pearson and John Byrneby GRCAdmin
But community organizer Amisha Patel said Obama too often tried to walk a fine line on such issues. “I think the president was afraid to be clear on an urban agenda. I don’t think he thought he had room to move on that, and so you get a really hands-off approach, these half-solutions,” Patel said. […]
Rahm Avoids Criticizing ‘Absentee Fathers’ In Anti-Violence Speech
News LinkBy -Ted Coxby GRCAdmin
CITY HALL — Mayor Rahm Emanuel had been expected to talk about the role of parenting in preventing violence in his big speech Thursday, but aldermen and activists cautioned him about the “myth” of the absentee African-American father. In the end, Emanuel seemed to sidestep the issue in his speech on Thursday, and mentioned the word “parenting” […]
Community Leaders Tackle Downward Spiral of Gun Violence in Chicago
News LinkBy - Michelle Gallardoby GRCAdmin
A staged funeral procession to Mount Sinai Hospital was one of several discussions that took place Tuesday to address the growing problem of gun violence in Chicago. “I lost a brother, sister, an uncle and two cousins to gun violence right here in this neighborhood,” said Rev. Robin Hood, Illinois Anti-Foreclosure Alliance There is no […]
Illinois faces further credit dings and interest rate swap crisis
News LinkBy -/ Tagged In - #TagTest Wall Street Accountability Wall Street Accountability News by Grassroots Collborative
Adding yet another blow to the moribund finances of Illinois, two major credit rating bureaus, Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, last week gave the midwestern state another financial downturn; this time to just two levels above junk status, in view of the continued lack of a budget and the growing gulf between Republican Gov. Bruce […]
Monday Marks Second Hearing On Illinois’ Controversial Interest Rate Swaps
News LinkBy -/ Tagged In - Wall Street Accountability by Grassroots Collborative
An Illinois House committee will hold a second subject matter hearing Monday morning in Chicago on the issue of interest rate swaps. City of Chicago Treasurer Kurt Summers is among those expected to testify before the House Revenue and Finance Committee. Last month, Summers urged three Chicago employee pension funds to consider joining class action lawsuits against banks in an effort […]