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Today is realistically the last business day that we can make this happen. Tomorrow is also possible....<br>
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Just a few calls will help a ton. Can you also each call a committee member and your representative if you haven't already? Sometimes if something is last minute, people are MORE likely to do it.<br>
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Also, if you know anyone who can post this on Facebook, with a short today-only note, it would also help:<br>
COMPLETE HOW-TO GUIDE: <a href="http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html" target="_blank">http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html</a><br>
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THANKS for your amazing and fast support. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!<br>
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LJR<br>
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_______________________________________<br>
Hi friends,<br>
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***Please make a ONE-MINUTE call RIGHT NOW to help HR0610 passed. There are only 2 business days before the vote!***<br>
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As most of you know, House Resolution 0610:<br>
1) Outlines the many hardships brought upon the people of Illinois by Wall Street traders and bankers, and;<br>
2) Recognizes and supports the Illinois Occupy protesters in their exercise of First Amendment rights of speech and assembly.<br>
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HR0610 will be heard Monday, November 28 at 1:00pm in the FInance Committee, and if passed will be voted on the next day.<br>
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The Finance Committee and your own state representative need to hear why you think it is important to support HR0610.<br>
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PLEASE CALL RIGHT NOW!<br>
Your state reps should know that they have Occupiers in the district!<br>
YOUR CALL COUNTS.<br>
Just 1-2 calls per representative might make a difference!<br>
IT TAKES ONE MINUTE!<br>
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AND SPREAD THE WORD TO YOUR LISTSERVS AND FRIENDS!!!<br>
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__________________________________________<br>
TAKE ONE MINUTE TO HELP PASS HOUSE RESOLUTION 0610 AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF OCCUPY ILLINOIS!<br>
COMPLETE HOW-TO GUIDE: <a href="http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html" target="_blank">http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html</a><br>
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This HR will be heard on the floor on Tuesday, Nov 29!<br>
The committee hearing is on Monday, Nov 28!<br>
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HR0610 recognizes the hardships suffered by the people of Illinois because of the actions of Wall Street, and supports the First Amendment free speech rights of all Occupy movements in Illinois.<br>
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1. CALL YOUR STATE REP and urge them to co-sponsor and vote yes on HR0610. Simply tell the assistant and s/he writes it down!<br>
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2. GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS and ask for a CALL BACK so we know they process the call.<br>
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3. BE POLITE and maintain good relations.<br>
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4. LET US KNOW that you made the call by emailing <<a href="mailto:s-eisenman@northwestern.edu">s-eisenman@northwestern.edu</a>> so we can better strategize!<br>
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5. SPREAD THE WORD and forward this email!<br>
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COMPLETE HOW-TO GUIDE: <a href="http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html" target="_blank">http://yougenics.net/occupyresolution.html</a><br>
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***It would REALLY help if you called the Committee and politely asked them to pass the bill through committee***<br>
***In your call, explain your hardships or other reasons for involvement. BE POLITE. Occupy Springfield has successfully testified before this very tough Finance Committee to oppose SB397 and we want to support their continuing success and not alienate the committee!***<br>
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HOUSE REVENUE & FINANCE COMMITTEE<br>
*John E. Bradley (D-Marion) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-1051" value="+12177821051">(217) 782-1051</a> • <a href="tel:%28618%29%20997-9697" value="+16189979697">(618) 997-9697</a> (CHAIR)<br>
Arthur Turner (D-Chicago) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-8116" value="+12177828116">(217) 782-8116</a> • <a href="tel:%28773%29%20277-4700" value="+17732774700">(773) 277-4700</a> (VICE-CHAIRPERSON)<br>
*David Harris (R-Mount Prospect) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-3739" value="+12177823739">(217) 782-3739</a> • <a href="tel:%28224%29%20635-2010" value="+12246352010">(224) 635-2010</a> (REPUBLICAN SPOKESPERSON)<br>
*Sandy Cole (R-Grayslake) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-7320" value="+12177827320">(217) 782-7320</a> • <a href="tel:%28847%29%20543-0062" value="+18475430062">(847) 543-0062</a><br>
Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-8121" value="+12177828121">(217) 782-8121</a> • <a href="tel:%28773%29%20667-0550" value="+17736670550">(773) 667-0550</a><br>
*Kent Gaffney (R-Wauconda) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-1517" value="+12177821517">(217) 782-1517</a> • <a href="tel:%28847%29%20487-5252" value="+18474875252">(847) 487-5252</a><br>
*Frank J. Mautino (D-Spring Valley) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-0140" value="+12177820140">(217) 782-0140</a> • <a href="tel:%28815%29%20664-2717" value="+18156642717">(815) 664-2717</a><br>
*Ed Sullivan, Jr. (R-Mundelein) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-3696" value="+12177823696">(217) 782-3696</a> • <a href="tel:%28847%29%20566-5115" value="+18475665115">(847) 566-5115</a><br>
*Michael J. Zalewski (D-Summit) <a href="tel:%28217%29%20782-5280" value="+12177825280">(217) 782-5280</a> • <a href="tel:%28708%29%20728-9922" value="+17087289922">(708) 728-9922</a>--especially call him as he is a Chicago area rep<br>
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*These legislators especially need calls.<br>
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HOW TO FIND YOUR STATE REP<br>
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You have just one state representative and you can find that person here:<br>
<a href="http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx" target="_blank">www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/districtofficialsearchbyaddress.aspx</a><br>
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Their contact information is here: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp" target="_blank">http://www.ilga.gov/house/default.asp</a><br>
Call both the district office and Springfield.<br>
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SAMPLE CALL STATEMENT<br>
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My name is ____ and I live at ____. I am calling to ask Representative ______ to co-sponsor HR0610. This Resolution recognizes the hardships of Illinois families due to the Wall Street economic crisis and supports the exercise of free speech by the Occupy movements in Illinois.<br>
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As someone who has suffered hardships myself, it is very important to me that s/he recognize the people who are speaking out. [Say something specific to you about why you are in this movement.]<br>
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Please give me a call back to let me know if my Representative will co-sponsor and support this resolution. Thank you so much.<br>
(The resolution HR0610 is sponsored by Rep. La Shawn K. Ford.)<br>
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FULL TEXT OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 0610<br>
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LINK: <a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0610&GAID=11&GA=97&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=62508&SessionID=84" target="_blank">http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=0610&GAID=11&GA=97&DocTypeID=HR&LegID=62508&SessionID=84</a><br>
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WHEREAS, The people of Illinois are suffering from an ongoing economic crisis that threatens their health, wealth and security, and<br>
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WHEREAS, Occupy movements in Illinois are supported by people of all trades and occupations, from school teachers to military veterans, who are stirred to protest economic injustice by the examples of the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City and the numerous other Occupy protests across the country; and<br>
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WHEREAS, In Illinois, the unemployment rate is 10% (numbering more than 660,000 people), the poverty rate is more than 14% (1.8 million people), and the rate of people living in extreme poverty (income less than $11,000 for a family of four) is nearly 7% (680,000 people); and<br>
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WHEREAS, The average after-tax household income of the top 1% of the United States population grew by 275% between 1979 and 2007, and the average after-tax household income of the lowest 20% of the United States population grew by just 18% in that same period; and<br>
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WHEREAS, The top 1% of income earners control 40% of the wealth in the United States; and<br>
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WHEREAS, The foreclosure rate in Illinois last month was the ninth worst in the country (1 of every 463 units), the rate in Cook County was even worse<br>
(1 of 357 units), and nearly 45% of the mortgage loans on Chicago homes are "underwater", that is, the amount of the home mortgage loan exceeds the value of the home; and<br>
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WHEREAS, The cost of the foreclosure crisis to Illinois taxpayers in 2012 is expected to reach $12 billion, blighting whole communities with decreased police and fire protection, higher crime rates, less access to health care, poorer schools, deteriorated infrastructure, diminished recreation services, reduced library services, and park closures or reduced park hours; and<br>
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WHEREAS, People of all ages (from young adults to seniors) and backgrounds, individuals from all Chicago neighborhoods, and persons who live in the suburbs, downstate cities, and rural areas are lawfully protesting the failures of Wall Street, the subsequent economic crisis, and the failure to address the needs of 99% of the population; therefore, be it<br>
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RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the hardships experienced by the people of Illinois as a result of the economic injustices and we stand in support of the continued peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights by Occupy protesters.<br>
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__________________________________________<br>
PRESS RELEASE<br>
<br>
REP. LA SHAWN K. FORD FILES RESOLUTION IN SPRINGFIELD ABOUT OCCUPY MOVEMENT<br>
CHICAGO LAWMAKER SAYS THE STATE MOVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE IS FREE SPEECH<br>
<br>
SPRINGFIELD – Rep. La Shawn K. Ford today filed a Resolution in the Illinois House of Representatives expressing support for “the peaceful exercise of First Amendment Rights” by people across the state engaged in the Occupy protests. The resolution reaffirms what the First Amendment of the United States Constitution explicitly protects: ”freedom of speech” and “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”<br>
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“This is a statewide movement from all walks of life,” Ford said, “there are young people and seniors, teachers and veterans, all protesting the economic crisis that has destroyed families and whole communities.”<br>
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Ford agrees with housing advocates who say that banks and brokerage firms have to be held accountable for putting in jeopardy the lives and fortunes of millions of Illinoisans. He said that legislators must take stronger measures to keep people in their homes.<br>
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“Lawmakers in D.C. and in Springfield must deliver relief to families in Illinois just as they did to Wall Street,” he told the Chicago protesters. “The Occupy movement will help legislators stay focused on helping families who are losing their homes. This is a new sit-in movement.”<br>
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First elected to his 8th district seat in 2006, Ford represents several West Side neighborhoods hit hard by the economic collapse, including Austin, Berwyn, Riverside, Forest Park, Oak Park, LaGrange and Brookfield. He said that he and his House colleagues have seen their communities decimated by a high number of foreclosures, evictions and underwater mortgages.<br>
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The preamble to the Resolution speaks directly to these issues. The foreclosure rate in Illinois is the 9th worst in the country, and the rate in Cook County is worse still, at 1 of every 357 units. Nearly 45% of mortgages in Chicago are currently underwater.<br>
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“The Occupy protestors in Illinois have been peaceful, thoughtful and respectful,” Ford continued, “They deserve our recognition.”<br>
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“I live in a relatively affluent northern suburb,” said Stephen F. Eisenman, a professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, and a regular Occupy protester, “and even here the economic toll has been bad. People can’t sell their houses and the banks won’t refinance them — even people with jobs are afraid to spend and insecurity is growing.”<br>
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The resolution recognizes the hardships experienced by the people of Illinois and their right to protest.<br>
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On October 26, 2011, Ford asked the House assembly for a moment of silence to recognize the “march for justice” taking place by Occupy Chicago protestors. The request brought a rebuke from Representative Rosemary Mulligan (R) who stated that the Occupy people “are homeless people that have nowhere else to go” and “some of them are very strange people” and that they should not be honored.<br>
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Occupy Chicago was holding a march on October 26 on behalf of Scott Olson, a Iraq war veteran seriously injured by police while peacefully protesting at Occupy Oakland.<br>
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A vote is expected in committee on Monday, November 28 in the House Finance Committee. If passed, it would be brought for a floor vote on Tuesday, November 29.<br>
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