Lou Lang Explains Income Tax Fight

In Part 1 and Part 2 of looking at State Rep. Lou Lang's view of what really happened in the spring session of the Illinois General Assembly, he talked about how not enough votes could be garnered from Democrats, but that there were sufficient Republicans willing to vote for a (50%, not mentioned by Lang) income tax hike had not Republican Leader Tom Cross intimidated them.

This article continues with the questioning of Democratic Party McHenry County Board member Paula Yensen at last Wednesday's meeting of the McHenry County Democratic Party Central Committee meeting.

"(I was) just trying to follow it in the newspaper and wonder why people could not be working together.

"The not-for-profits have made cuts for the last ten years. They're five months, seven months in arrears in getting (state payments). Financial institutions are not lending (so they) can make payroll. I don't think people fully understand."

"I think they do understand," Lang replied, "but when politics rules over common sense, you know where it's at.

"There are elected officials who don't give a dame. They're looking at November 2, 2010.

"When a person gets most of his money from business interests...it won't matter to that legislator.

"They'll say it matters, but it doesn't matter.

"Regular people can't believe this. People say,

'These people really care about us.
I heard them say it.'

"But they don't care.

"The not-for-profit community dropped the ball her," Lang explained, pointing out that they came to Springfield for demonstrations, but that was not enough.

"But, how many of those thousands of people went to see their own legislator in their own offices?

"None, very few."

Lang then explained, "The last time Illinois raised income taxes not one single legislator in either chamber or party lost his next election."

Land did allow that people remember Republican Governor Richard Ogilvie losing to Dan Walker in 1972 after Ogilvie signed the bill imposing the income tax.

"If you explain to (constituents) why your doing what you're doing, they will (support you).

"But when gutless wonders stroll the Capitol, (it won't happen)."

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At the Wednesday meeting you see above, from left to right, you see Marti Swanson in the foreground, Ed Riley, who ran for Greenwood Township Supervisor, former District 6 McHenry County Board candidate Robert Ludwig, District 5 McHenry County Board member Paula Yensen, Ed Rotchford, Bob Kaempfe, candidate for state representative against Mike Tryon, Nunda Township Trustee candidate Meredith Reid Sarkees, District 5 McHenry County Board member Jim Kennedy and Mike Bisset.