Minimum Wage Workers to Hold 10 Town Hall Meetings Across Illinois to Tell Lawmakers "Working Families Can't Wait"

CHICAGO, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Raise Illinois, a statewide coalition working to raise the minimum wage, is partnering with A Better Illinois, which is fighting for the Fair Tax Act, along with several community groups and small businesses who all stated that the state is suffering from a complete lack of economic fairness and opportunity that must be reformed.

That's why Raise Illinois will hold a series of town hall meetings from April 15^th through April 24^th throughout the state, (Chicago, Maywood, Quad Cities, Decatur, Metro East, Rockford) – scroll below to see a complete list of times and locations. 

"We need fundamental fairness in Illinois: a fair wage, a fair tax system, and a fair budget that invests in our communities," said Katelyn Johnson, Executive Director of Action Now.  "We expect to see hundreds of low wage workers and their families, faith leaders, and business leaders turn out at these events to ask their state legislators to take action." 

The 10 town hall events have been themed around the urgent need for a "fair economy that works for everyone."  With the deadline to pass the Fair Tax Act rapidly approaching in May, citizens are calling on their legislators to put this critical issue on the ballot so voters can decide in November.  If enacted, the Fair Tax would give a tax cut to 94% of Illinois residents.  

Robert Lee, a member of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and a minimum wage worker, expressed his excitement about the momentum building to increase the minimum wage, "The sooner we increase the minimum wage, the sooner we will change the lives of 400,000 people and their families."

April 15th

Far South Chicago / South Suburbs, Tuesday, April 15th
House of God Church
10555 S Emerald Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Start time: 6pm -8pm

April 16th

Maywood & Westside, Wednesday, April 16th
Austin Town Hall Park
5610 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60644
Start time: 6pm -8pm

Quad Cities, Wednesday, April 16th
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 25 Hall
4600 46th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois 61201″
Start time: 7pm -8:30pm

April 17th

Decatur, Thursday, April 17th
Main Street Church
2000 N Main St, Decatur, IL 62526
Start time: 6:30pm -8pm

West Suburban / Northlake, Thurs, April 17th
Sandy Vasquez Center
316 N. LaPorte Ave. Northlake Illinois 61064
Start time: 6pm -8pm

April 22nd

Metro East, Tuesday, April 22nd
Lessie Bates Neighborhood House
1200 N 13th St East St Louis, IL 62205
Start time: 6pm -8pm

April 24th

Chicago South Side, Thursday, April 24th
Bread of Life Missionary Baptist Church
1924 W 63rd St Chicago, IL 60636
Start time: 6pm -8pm

Southwest Side & Cicero/Berwyn, Thursday, April 24th
Burroughs Elementary School
3542 S Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60632
Start time: 6pm -8pm

South Lakefront "Faith in Action Event", Thursday, April 24th
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
7262 S Coles Ave Chicago, IL 60649
Start time: 6pm -8pm

Rockford, Thursday, April 24th
Deliverance Crusaders Center
2101 Auburn Rd Rockford, IL 61103
Start time: 6:30pm -8pm

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SOURCE Raise Illinois