Break through coverage of HB 311 Hearing

The hearing on the state's "Healthcare for All Illinois" bill, HB 311, sponsored by state representative Mary Flowers, received front page coverage in the Kane County Chronicle, Friday. This is Huge! 

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Hi All:

On Wed. the 13^th, Lorin Klugman and I traveled to Springfield to participate in the Illinois Democratic Convention held in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair. Here is our tale. 

Our plan was to take part in a morning brunch hosted by the state Party in honor of New Mexico governor, Bill Richardson. The idea was to network with delegates from around the state. Then we hoped to participate in the Convention as delegates. There we thought we would take part in tough debates on the party platform. Maybe we’d get them all to support HB 311.  You never know.  Finally we planned to attend the rally “Democrat Day” at the Illinois State Fair. We we’re sure what we would do there, but we were open. As you can tell, we had little idea what we were doing. But we did have a stack of 300 “Health Care Not Warfare” flyers that were determined to distribute to somebody. 

Bob Remer of Chicago offered the five-point statement, drafted by Norman Solomon, another of the Healthcare NOT Warfare campaign co-chairs, and others. The statement read:

Our nation should enact universal health care that will:
* Guarantee accessible health care for all.
* Create a single standard of high quality, comprehensive, and preventive health care for all.
* Allow freedom of choice of physician, hospital, and other health careproviders.
* Allow physicians, nurses and other licensed health care providers to makehealth care decisions based on what is best for the health of the patient. 

The language in amendment #33 was combined with language in amendment #107, to read "guaranteed health care" for every American (instead of universal coverage).  Also, the phrase "everybody in and no one left out" was added to later platform language about legislative efforts to "cover every American."  However, the substantive line, "Eliminate financial barriers that prevent families and individuals from obtaining the medically necessary care they need" was removed from the final draft.  Nevertheless, the change from "universal coverage" to "Guaranteed accessible healthcare for all" represents a major change by the Party in the direction of single payer.  Other details will be left to the legislative process.

Conyers, the original sponsor of HR 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act, called the language change huge, steps in the right direction, and movement by the party in the right way.

PDA-Chicago endorsed Rachel Shattuck’s candidacy for the 49th district of Illinois State Assembly, following her presentation to the Chapter Monday July 14th. Chapter endorsement opens the door to active support for Shattuck’s’ campaign.

One of the new generation of young progressives arising in Illinois, Shattuck told the group that she will win Illinois State Rep seat in the now Republican 49th district --Elgin, Geneva, West Dundee-- by taking strong progressive stands on issues like single payer health care and a progressive tax. She said it will be a grassroots campaign that delivers a personal message to voters. She asked that PDA-Chicago help her conduct a strong grassroots outreach.

The 14th District Progressives Chapter endorsed Rachel earlier this month.

Full House at the First Annual Conference
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) - Illinois Conference 2008

Julie Huen leads breakout session on electoral skills	Amy Tauchman of DuPage Democrats -  Power Opening Presentation
Bill Bianchi Leads Group Discussion	Bill Barlay Facilitating Panel Discussion
Keynote Speaker, author and journalist Stephen Kinzer	Amy Tauchman of DuPage Democrats

July 6, 2008  
 
For More Information Contact:
William Bianchi
PDAChicago@gmail.com

 
Progressive Democrats Conference Draws  Illinois Progressives, Activists to Historic Farm

“More and Better Democrats,” was the theme of the first annual statewide conference hosted by Progressive Democrats of America –Illinois (PDA-IL), the state coordinating committee for PDA chapters. The day-long event attracted over 70 progressive activists to the historic Marvel Davis Farm in Big Rock, Illinois, June 28. 

Noted journalist and author Stephen Kinzer keynoted the event, which featured workshops, panels and the inter-active participation of progressive activists from around the state.

Bill Bianchi, Chair of Chicago PDA and co-chair of the event, said the conference was designed to bring people together who are frustrated with a broken political system.  “Democratic majorities in Springfield have not pushed for a progressive agenda of change in Illinois, and a Democratic controlled Congress and Senate have not fixed the economy or brought change to Washington,” said Bianchi.  “We need more Democrats, yes, but we also need better Democrats who are willing to serve the people of our great state and country.”

In addition to PDA, groups attending the conference included Democracy for America (DFA), MoveOn Council of Fox Valley, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Fox Valley Peace and Justice, DuPage Democrats, Greater Chicago Caucus, Illinois Campaign to Abolish the Death Penalty and several local Democratic precinct captains.   

Several candidates attended the event, seeking support.  They included a representative from Bob Abboud’s 16th District Congressional campaign, State Representative candidate, Dennis Grosskopf and Aurora Mayoral candidate, Stephanie Kifowit.

To date, the organization has endorsed one State Representative candidate, Rachel Shattuck, who is challenging Republican Representative, Tim Schmitz in Illinois’ 49th District.

Conference co-chair Laurel Bault, of District 14 PDA added, “We had several progressive candidates attending, and many active PDA members, but it was the attendees from the general public who told us—emphatically-- that Progressives stand exactly where the majority of the American people stand.”

Jim Luebke, chair of District 14 PDA, noted that the opportunity to host the event on the group’s home territory was a bonus. “It allowed us to ensure that many of our members were able to attend and hear perspectives from more experienced groups.  Since we are less than a year old, this helps us find our feet,” said Luebke.
 
For conference photos and more on Kinzer, visit the organization’s Illinois website at www.pdaillinois.org and for more on the organization’s philosophy and structure; see the PDA national website at www.pdamerica.org.

Contact:

Bill Bianchi   773/935-3346 

Laurel Bault   630 484 4874

Because of strong public support, The Health Care for All Illinois Act (H.B. 311) continues to move forward in the Illinois General Assembly. Help end the healthcare crisis in Illinois! Please ask your Illinois representative to co-sponsor H.B. 311, using the message below.

Martin Luther King, Jr. - Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.

Click Here to Request Your Illinois State Representatives to Co-Sponsor H.B. 311

Note! Link determines who your represntatives in the Illinois House and Senate are. Allows you to send a direct email message to your representatives, asking them to co-sponsor H.B. 311