[Peace] Fifth annual march urges passage of tax hike for the poor

[Brian Dolinar]

[image: The News-Gazette.com] Fifth annual march urges passage of tax hike
for the poor By Paul Wood
<http://www.news-gazette.com/news/reporter/pwood/> Friday
October 3, 2008

CHAMPAIGN – The fifth annual Unity March, advocating a tax increase to help
the poor, will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday.

One of the organizers, Aaron Ammons, said the prime focus this year will be
a November ballot question that could result in a higher rate of City of
Champaign Township assistance.

The township has the same boundaries as the city of Champaign. The march
kicks off at the City of Champaign Township office at Green and Randolph
streets.

Ammons said about 150 people usually march, and additional bicyclists and
pedestrians join as it nears its conclusion in Douglass Park, where a rally
will be held.

"The purpose has always been to bring people together in the community to
network, and celebrate the accomplishment of the last year, and to look
forward to the challenges for next year," Ammons said. "This year is to
specifically try to shed light on the referendum."

He urges voters to say yes to the ballot question, which would raise the
township's tax rate by 2 cents.

"When the citizens put it on ballot in the (February non-binding) referendum
primary, 71 percent said they would support it," Ammons said.

The township's property tax levy is significantly lower than comparable
townships in the state, proponents say.

"We haven't had much feedback from the city council, (whose members also
make up the township board)" he said. "But I believe it has a good chance of
passing. I know that it's a hard time to ask for money, but it's a minimal
cost we're being asked to pitch in."

The increase would be about $10 a year for a home valued at $150,000,
proponents note.

The march is organized by Champaign Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice.

Sponsors include: AWARE, Radio Liberacion!, Prairie Green Party, Central
Illinois Jobs With Justice, School for Designing a Society, Urbana-Champaign
Friends Meeting and Central Illinois Industrial Workers of the World.
-- 
Brian Dolinar, Ph.D.
303 W. Locust St.
Urbana, IL 61801
briandolinar at gmail.com
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