Illinois worst in nation for stimulus transparency

A new report concludes Illinois has the worst official stimulus Web site in the country.

The report by the watchdog group Good Jobs First gave Illinois the worst ranking in its 50-state study. On a point scale of zero to 100, Illinois receive no points at all.

Researchers checked if states provided specifics on how much money's being spent in the state. It says Illinois' site has no such figures.

The study by the Washington, D.C.-based group sought to check how states are doing in fulfilling President Barack Obama's pledge that the $787 billion federal stimulus bill would strive for "an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability."

You can check out the site at:

http://recovery.illinois.gov

"Affordable" for Whom??? Yet another TIF Abuse

The Chicago Sun-Times has a story about yet another example of how Chicago abuses Tax Increment Financing as a slush fund for Mayoral and Aldermanic friends and donors. This time it's about so-called "affordable" housing around the Maxwell street destruction ... er ... UIC redevelopment.

Another recent TIF atrocity was handing money to the "blighted" building formerly known as Sears Tower. For a sampling of past TIF abuse, see the Reader's TIF archive.

Beyond the now-familiar process of using public power and resources (TIF, zoning changes, etc.) to make powerful friends rich, the Suntimes finally uses some ink on the question NA4J folks have been asking for over a decade:

"Affordable" for whom????

The key basic questions on all public policy proposals should be:
* who benefits?
* who pays?
* are there other ways to achieve stated goals?

In the case of TIFs and redevelopment, the system is rigged to favor insiders, liek the people that buy "affordable" housing as an investment and them flip them for easy, politically-generated profit. Like the woman that made $29,000 without even moving into a subsidized townhome (she already owned two). The flippers made an average profit of $63,000.

Beyond the question of the politically connected gaming the system is the broader policy question of "affordable to whom"? Many gentrifying development deals include some kind of "affordable" component to alleviate community opposition. these so-called 'affordble' units are key aspects of why the deals are supposedly in the public interest.

But housing advocates have been arguing for decades that the city uses "affordability definitions that defy any logic.

For example, to qualify for 'affordable' units at University Village, a 4-person family's income must be below $75,000 per year -- which is considered 'low income' if one uses the metro region figures. Costs -- rent or purchase prices -- are not based on one's income, but on a formula based on the median income -- of the metro region.

The median household income (regardless of household size) in the city of Chicago was about $45,000 in 2007.

Using the formula based on the metro region means that many so-called 'affordable' units are priced for residents with the highest 15-20% of incomes.

The TIF reform referenda that passed overwhelmingly in sample precincts emphasize that housing produced should be affordable to households below that community's median income.

National Jobs Campaign still needed

NA4J was one of the many groups pushing for passage of the massive Obama "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" (aka the stimulus bill), despite misgivings about the misguided corporate tax breaks. For info on the human needs benefits of $800 Billion package, see here.

According to the Obama Administration, the stimulus bill will create or save 3 million jobs. That's vitally important in the worst economic crisis in 50 years, but not nearly enough.


Even if the plan "works" as well as proponents predict (and there are questions about how much of the stimulus will reach into communities that are most in need), the economy will still be 4 million jobs short of what is needed to maintain the pre-recession unemployment level (which was still too high).

As many testified to the Congressional Progressive Caucus on May 12, low income and working people have been experiencing an economic crisis for years, long before the crisis hit the bankers.

Another Bailed-Out Bank Sells Out Workers

Hartmarx Workers Vote to "Sit In" to Save Their Jobs: TARP Recipient Wells Fargo Threatens to Close Obama Suit Maker Factory & Layoff Workers Despite $25b Bailout

500 Hartmarx Workers Joined by Illinois Rep. Phil Hare, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias & Other State, National Leaders

On May 11, 500 workers at the Chicago-based apparel firm Hart Schaffner & Marx held a rally and historic "sit in" vote to fight for their jobs as major lender and TARP fund recipient Wells Fargo & Co. pushes for a bankruptcy closure of the facility.

"Everyone at the plant is worried about their future. It all hinges on Wells Fargo. They have to do the right thing and allow this company to be reorganized--so jobs can be saved," explained Ruby Simms, a 32-year veteran of the Hart Schaffner & Marx factory in Des Plaines, IL.
The workers voted in favor of a "sit in" style action, which means that if Wells Fargo or a buyer tries to begin liquidation or close the factory, the workers will respond by physically remaining at their job site.

The struggle of the Hartmarx workers mirrors that of the 250 Republic Windows and Doors workers who saved their own jobs last December when Bank of America tried to shutter their doors. State and national leaders are increasingly standing up for Hartmarx workers, members of the union Workers United (an SEIU affiliate), and slamming Wells Fargo-a $25 billion taxpayer bailout recipient-for shortsightedly refusing to invest in U.S. companies and workers.
Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has vowed, "Unless the company remains open, [Wells Fargo] will not be doing business with the state of Illinois any longer."

"Wells Fargo has received $25 billion in taxpayer assistance through TARP. In other words, the workers Wells Fargo may throw out on the street have been subsidizing its operations during these tough economic times. So much for returning the favor," said Member of Congress Phil Hare, who also worked in the men's clothing industry as a cutter for 13 years.

Include housing in state capital budget

Every State Senator is RIGHT NOW being asked to set priorities for the state's capital budget.
The Governor's plan only allocates 1/10th of 1% of the $26 Billion capital plan for affordable housing.

Please take 15 seconds ** RIGHT NOW ** to click the link below and send a short email to the Senator Steans, asking for at least $500 million over 5 years.

http://citizenspeak.org/node/1591

Housing is just as important part of our state's infrastructure as bridges and roads.

By providing new resources for the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing, our state will be creating jobs, generating new revenue, and creating an infrastructure of opportunity for the hundreds of thousands of people in our state that need safe, decent, affordable housing.

All it takes is two (count 'em -- 2) clicks of the mouse.

Correct Today Show Lies about worker justice

Action Alert - from Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting

NBC's Secret Ballot Falsehood
Today show misrepresents pro-union bill, asks Wal-Mart for explanation

4/21/09

On April 15, NBC's Today show host Matt Lauer mischaracterized the Employee Free Choice Act, then turned to Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke for further explanation of the pro-labor bill.

The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) would make it easier for workers to form unions by increasing penalties for employers who violate workers' right to organize, and by giving workers the right to form a union if a majority signs cards declaring they want one--the so-called "card check" provision.

NBC's Lauer declared that EFCA "would do away with secret ballots." This is inaccurate; under the proposed law, workers would still have the right to vote in a National Labor Review Board (NLRB) "secret ballot" election if 30 percent of the workforce signs cards, just as they do now. Under current law, employers rather than workers get to decide whether unionization requires a card check or a vote. The false claim that EFCA would eliminate secret ballots has been a major talking point of anti-EFCA campaigners.

In an interview with Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke, NBC host Lauer advanced that falsehood, saying EFCA "would do away with secret ballots."

Lauer then asked Duke:

"Some people say, unions say it'll make it easier for American workers to earn a fair salary. Others, like the guy who runs Home Depot, the co-founder, Bernie Marcus, say it's going to cripple American business. What's the truth?"

Duke replied by dismissing EFCA as "really one of those bills that would be damaging to the American economy long-term." Lauer seemed unsurprised, responding: "Probably expect that response from Mike Duke, the new CEO of Wal-Mart."

Yes--asking the new CEO of an adamantly anti-labor corporation that was recently exposed for forcing workers to attend anti-EFCA meetings what he thinks of the proposed pro-labor bill is bound to yield a predictable result. That's why it would make sense for NBC's Today show to seek out another point of view on the Employee Free Choice Act. This exchange between Duke and Lauer is the only time the Employee Free Choice Act has been mentioned on the program.


ACTION:
Ask the Today show to correct host Matt Lauer's false claim that Employee Free Choice Act "would do away with secret ballots." And ask them to interview a supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act--someone who can counter the arguments made against the bill by Wal-Mart CEO Duke.

Send a message to NBC to correct the corporate propaganda by clicking here:

or call:
Phone: (212) 664-4602

News coverage from April 6th rally against police torture

Alleged CPD torture victims call for new hearings
April 6, 2009  (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- 

Activists and former prisoners who say they were tortured into making false confessions rallied outside the Thompson Center Monday.  They are calling on attorney general Lisa Madigan to initiate hearings for all victims of Chicago police torture under former commander Jon Burge.

Burge was indicted last year on charges related to acts of torture.

Photo: ABC 7

Monday's rally comes six years after Madigan was appointed to oversee
prosecution of the Burge torture case and a day before a judge will rule on moving five cases to the Cook County state's attorney's office.
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Police torture activists stonewalled at Lisa Madigan's office

Chicago Progressive Examiner
Monday, April 06, 2009

Judge Paul Biebel is expected to rule today on a request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to hand five torture cases related to former Chicago Police Cmdr. Jon Burge back to the Cook County State's Attorney. Several community organizations tried to put Madigan's feet to the fire yesterday by holding a rally and press conference in front of the Thompson Center; among the speakers was David Bates, who did time for a murder he says he didn't commit but confessed to after enduring nearly two days of torture by detectives working under Burge.

After the rally, activists entered the Thompson Center in an attempt to make their case to Madison's staff. State of Illinois police officer Jesse Harris Jr. intercepted the group at the lobby; after a couple of tense minutes, Harris agreed to allow five people to go up to Madigan's 12th floor office — but not media.

The delegation, which included Gates and relatives of other alleged victims of police torture and brutality, met with Cara Smith, Madigan’s deputy chief of staff. "They pressed Madigan to take action on these cases, and they extended an invitation for her to talk us in a public town hall meeting," said Julien Ball of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty, one of the groups behind the rally. "She listened but didn't make any promises."

This week has seen much media speculation about Madigan's intention to run for governor and the far-reaching impact of her pending decision, which may help explain why she seems keen on dropping the arduous task of sorting through one of the most sordid chapters in Chicago police history on somebody else's lap. Prosecuting can anger cops, while not doing so angers the African-American community that took the brunt of the Burge regime's fury, and this kind of thing tends to get in the way of political ambitions.

Ball said activists are debating what steps to take if the torture cases are handed to Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez. "She accused some of the old guard of inaction during her campaign, but she hasn't said whether she plans to prosecute torture cases. We will be watching very attentively."
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Coverage in the Tribune

Chicago Breaking News Center
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Photos from the rally

Video from the rally