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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:07am
Fri Dec 12, 2008

After Republic Windows Sit-In, Business Leaders Take Notice (UPDATED)

Republic Windows

This is why actions like the Republic Windows sit-in matter: they don't just address individual injustices by employers, they send a message. 

"This Republic Windows saga, I'm sure, is reverberating throughout boardrooms in America," Rep. Luis Gutierrez told ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
6:16pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Obama Asks Online Supporters To Lobby For Health Care

Barack Obama

At a press conference in Chicago this morning, President-elect Barack Obama announced that former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) will run the Department of Health and Human Services in his administration. Ezra Klein noted last month that the appointment of Daschle was a sign ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
3:16pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Bobby Rush Defends Jesse Jackson Jr. On MSNBC

Jesse Jackson Jr.

The folks at MSNBC probably didn't realize it, but by soliciting Rep. Bobby Rush to respond to the controversy surrounding Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., they set a dramatic stage. 

As Illinois political junkies know, the two members of Congress have a good deal of history.  ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
2:57pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

Schakowsky Enters Potential Senate Race, Roskam Mulling A Run

Peter Roskam

Last night, Rep. Jan Schakowsky made it clear that, if and when there is a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, she'll be running.  From The Seminal:

At the end of her speech, Schakowsky threw her hat in the ring,
announcing that she was...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:53pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008

"They Got Bailed Out, We Got Sold Out!"

Banking

Below is some video footage from the protest held yesterday in front of Bank of America's Chicago offices in solidarity with the Republic Workers sit-in.

In the first clip, you can see the demonstrators chanting, "You got bailed out, we got sold out!"  Next ...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
1:07pm
Thu Dec 11, 2008
1 comment

Rasmussen Poll: 84% Say Blagojevich Should Resign

Senate vacancy

Illinois voters have had enough
of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but they’re not convinced he’s going to leave
quietly, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey released today:

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Illinois voters say
indicted Governor Rod Blagojevich should resign...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:34am
Thu Dec 11, 2008
9 comments

Republic Windows Dispute Opens Door To TIF Reform

Manny Flores

Shortly after pulling in a cool
$10 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars to “bolster the
local economy,” Brach’s Candy Co. shuttered its West Side facility in
2003. They were rewarded with an another $880,000 TIF deal
for setting up shop in the former ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:16am
Thu Dec 11, 2008

SEIU Illinois Statement On Blagojevich Case

SEIU

The SEIU Illinois State Council (which sponsors this website) issued the following press release last night:

Representatives of Illinois SEIU have been in communication with the
United States Attorney’s Office in Chicago, and we have no reason to
believe that ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:40pm
Wed Dec 10, 2008
3 comments

Republic Windows Workers Stand Proud

Labor

Good news coming in via the AP. The Republic Windows workers have voted to end their sit-in:

Workers have approved a $1.75 million agreement, ending a sit-in that lasted six days at a Chicago window and door factory.
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez says each former ...