The Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has spoken out and let everyone know that the State of Illinois is not going to do business with the Bank of America until they do their part to keep workers in the Republic Windows and Doors plant working or to at least see that they get their severance and vacation pay. As I wrote earlier this morning, the Republic Windows and Doors plant told their workers they were closing last week due to the fact that The Bank of America would not extend them credit. The reason this is so problematic is that the Bank of America received a 25 billion dollar bailout from the government.
I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. For a state to boycott business with a bank on behalf of workers and labor rights is really pretty amazing and hopefully it will yield some results.
I recommend you head on over to The Huffington Post to watch video of the Governor’s announcement. You may want to watch it twice just to prove to yourself that it really happened 
Also, do your part and takepart with the United Electrical Workers to support the workers in Chicago!
*photo from VivaAntarctica’s flickr stream (creative commons)
CATEGORIES: Ethics, Human Rights
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yes, this makes sense. good way to have to keep giving banks $25bn by making them fund failing businesses….
It’s not that cut and dry either way folks. This is the same dilemma we face with every proposed “bailout” prospect: is Republic Windows sure to fail or can they survive and maintain a feasible business if they get some short term relief?
The banks have been a little too stiff on their underwriting standards lately so I’m suspicious. I posted the below as such:
http://chaosoutoforder.wordpress.com/
OOF! Do you think he heard the Feds coming, and took his stand on BoA so’s pansy-arsed liberals (like me) would have something good to say about him today?
Too bad they won’t mention this on the news now that he’s been arrested for corruption. Conveniently.
Currahee - I know, I wrote about it today @ TakePart
http://www.takepart.com/2008/12/09/hot-rod-blagojevich-cools-down-as-the-fed-take-him-in/
It’s unfortunate that his arrest comes on the heels of the good things he said yesterday, Although from the reports it appears to be the only good thing he’s done in some time.
rod is good guv. charged because of racisim. keep senate seat white
After looking at the Ill. Governors website, and seeing how he sent a Quick Response team on Dec 3 to a town where steel workers were laid off (company closed), to help with unemployment insurance and new job applications, it seems the Governor really cares about the people of the State. He also issued a report on how the elderly and disabled need to be prepared to deal with disaster. He has spent 3.8 billion more on public education in this term—what other Governor can make that claim? This man has been tried and convicted in the media within 72 hours, with everyone calling for his resignation. Why? He and his wife seem committed to the welfare of their citizens. That is clear by the priorities they set in office—education, health care, the unemployed, children, disabled and elderly citizens. He looks good to me. Something seems off with this picture.