Jobs coalition to hold public meeting
The newly formed Jobs for All Illinois Coalition will hold a public meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the UAW Local 145 Union Hall, 1700 Oakton Road in Montgomery.
Amy Dean, author of "A New New Deal: How Regional Activism Will Reshape the American Labor Movement," will be the featured speaker.
"We believe Amy Dean will provide many ideas for us as we plan a way to ensure Congress passes an effective jobs bill," said Dan Kenney, a coalition leader.
The coalition, made up originally of local labor and peace and justice advocates, held its first meeting April 17 in Batavia.
"We are now broadening the group to include faith and environmentalist organizations as well," Kenny said in order to build support for a massive, New Deal-style federal jobs bill. "We won't accept a jobless recovery."
The group supports HR 4812, the Local Jobs for America Act, sponsored by Congressman George Miller, which would create and save a million public and private jobs in local communities this year. At the same time, the coalition seeks to enlarge that bill and add an amendment calling for a Financial Transaction Tax to pay for the program.
Economist Bill Barclay says that he envisions a "sales tax" of a one quarter of one percent on the sales of stocks and bonds, and an even smaller tax - one-tenth of one percent on currency and debt trading, including derivatives. Barclay calculates that this could have raised $750 billion to $1.2 trillion during each of the past five years.
The coalition is urging that a large percentage of the jobs created by HR 4812 should be green jobs, such as programs to insulate public buildings and homes, build light rail and public transportation.
Union members and leaders, faith groups and individuals, employers, environmentalists, peace advocates, and anyone concerned about the need to create local living wage jobs are invited. They will brainstorm about how to pass strong jobs legislation.
For information, call Mary Shesgreen at (847) 742-1406.