Lakeview Action Coalition Gives 'Progress Report' to Rep. Quigley

Dear Patch,

Congressman Quigley received a clear message from constituents today on the stance he must take on critical issues facing working families, including tax fairness, social security, jobs, and health care. 

Lakeview Action Coalition delivered Congressman Quigley’s progress report today with clear steps toward an “A” grade by ensuring that the richest 2 percent and Wall Street corporations pay their fair share at the end of the year.  After the election, Congressman Quigley will return to Washington DC and decide whether to end the Bush Tax Cuts for the richest 2 percent, or raise taxes on working families, end Medicare as we know it, and make cuts to jobs and education.

This was part of a national week of action organized by National People’s Action and other allies.

“We face a crossroads at the end of the year over the path we should take to raise our nation from our economic recession," said Allen Wesolowski, a member of Lakeview Action Coalition. "If we stand together and all do our part and pay our fair share, we’ll be able to invest in our priorities. We need our elected officials to end the Bush Tax Cuts for the richest 2 percent and close corporate tax loopholes. 

"They must put family security and opportunity first by protecting Medicare, defending the Affordable Health Care Act, and providing infrastructure funding to create jobs and insure quality, affordable education for all our children.” 

America’s 400 richest families have seen their effective federal income tax rate drop by 60 percent over the last 50 years, plummeting from 42 percent to 18 percent.  A hedge fund manager making millions of dollars from speculating on oil futures pays a lower tax rate on his profits than a school teacher pays on the salary she earns from educating our children. 

The Congressman was not available today when his constituents visited the office, but they explained his grade to his staff and received a commitment from his office to meet with the Congressman in early October.

The members of Lakeview Action Coalition also emphasized the importance of his presence at a public meeting on October 30, where 350 residents from the Chicagoland area will ask for commitments from federally elected officials on matters of social and economic security.

Lakeview Action Coalition graded Congressman Quigley on his votes concerning the Bush Tax Cuts and the austere Republic budget proposal. He voted in the interest of working American families, however, none of these bills passed out of the House.

“We gave him an A- on his past votes and an incomplete for the whole term,” explained Judy Wash, a constituent and leader with Lakeview Action Coalition. “We need Congressman Quigley to continue voting the right way when Congress reconvenes in November and to work with his colleagues in Washington to ensure the Bush Tax Cuts expire for the wealthiest 2 percent.”

Signed,

The Lakeview Action Coalition