Chance for 'other 12 million' to be heard

Surprise, surprise, the Illinois education unions call for an income tax increase. As of June 30, 2009, teachers and university employees total 435,214 members, or 83 percent, of the 523,203 active members in the Illinois Retirement Systems.

Education costs already consume over 38 percent of the annual Illinois budget. The unions support Gov. Pat Quinn's 33 percent tax increase so that the dollars allocated to education by their friends in Springfield will increase significantly. Some of the union dues collected are used to lobby Governor Quinn and the legislative leaders who then protect the unions through pension legislation, funding, with little accountability and archaic work rules.

The remaining 90 percent of the population (12 million people) in Illinois have little voice in Springfield. The November election gives the other 12 million people in Illinois a chance to be heard in Springfield.

Howard Snyder

Wheaton