House Urged to End Crisis by Passing HB 174

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A coalition representing
education employees, state workers and good government groups, urged Illinois
House leaders today to work out an agreement to allow HB 174 to pass the House
and end the state budget crisis.

The Illinois Education Association (IEA), the Illinois Federation of Teachers
(IFT), the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Council
31 (AFSCME), the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) and Citizen
Action/Illinois (CAI) say HB 174 would put the state on sound fiscal footing.
The legislation would increase the state income tax while reducing local
property taxes. HB 174 passed the state Senate on June 30 but hasn't been
called for a vote in the House.

According to Ralph Martire, CTBA executive director, leaders must keep the
focus on Illinois' needs, not political expediency.

"Every representative, Democrat or Republican, who can do math and honestly
cares about keeping Illinois competitive in a global economy, knows the state
must increase revenue to solve its fiscal problems. HB 174 is the responsible
way to achieve solvency, keep Illinois a low tax state and modernize the
fiscal system for the 21st century."

IEA President Ken Swanson urged House leaders to work out a responsible
compromise agreement that is acceptable to 71 House members and generates
sufficient revenue to end the budget crisis.

"Speaker Madigan and Republican Leader Cross need to iron out their
differences so the Democrats on the fence and the Republicans who acknowledge
the need for revenue to end the crisis will support HB 174," Swanson said.

Immediate action is needed, according to a top official of the largest state
employees union.

"Social service agencies are cutting services or closing their doors. Tens of
thousands of jobs could be lost from community providers and state services at
a time when unemployment is already at 10 percent," said Henry Bayer,
executive director of AFSCME.

Though some have claimed that passing an income tax bill is impossible in the
current political climate, Lynda DeLaforgue, co-executive director for CAI,
said there is reason to believe otherwise.

"If everyone is committed to doing what is best for Illinois, a responsible
compromise can be achieved. Ending the crisis has to be everyone's top
priority," DeLaforgue said.

SOURCE Illinois Education Association

Charlie McBarron of IEA, +1-217-544-0706