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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Thousands Surround Capitol To Protest Rauner's Pro-Business Agenda

FLICKR User Jim Bowen

An estimated eight thousand union members flooded streets in front of the Illinois Statehouse today to protest Governor Bruce Rauner's agenda.

Annette Edwards is a member of the Service Employees International Union. 

She riled the crowd saying she lost her job as a child care worker after the governor cut eligibility for the program.

"Bruce Rauner is no job creator. He is a job killer. I lost my job because of his cuts. He's holding our state hostage so that he can pass through tax cuts for the rich, and pay cuts, service cuts, and job cuts for the rest of us,” Edwards said.

The governor says Illinois is not friendly to business.  The Republican says he won't negotiate on a comprehensive state budget unless Democrats pass an agenda he says will make the state more competitive.

He's calling for restricting compensation for injured workers - ending the prevailing wage - and other changes labor adamantly oppose.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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