League of Women Voters of Illinois Deliver “Chicago Is Not Broke” Books to Mayor and Aldermen

At the Chicago City Council meeting, September 14, 2016, the League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) delivered copies of the new book “Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve” to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and all members of the Chicago City Council.

“Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve” is a collection of short articles showing how to save and generate MAJOR sustainable, progressive revenues for Chicago. The authors are all local experts in civic policy and many are educators and activists. Hilary Denk, board member of the LWVIL is an author in the book. Her chapter is on the benefits a progressive Illinois income tax would have for the city.

The book is divided into four sections: (1) Money that is STOLEN from us – money we should not have spent nor continue TO spend, (2) Money that is HIDDEN from us – money we know is being collected, we just can’t find it, (3) Money that we are NOT collecting, but SHOULD be, and (4) What are we going to about this – What next? Details: www.wearenotbroke.org.

The book is edited by Tom Tresser, a long-time civic educator. He is the lead organizer for the TIF Illumination Project (www.tifreports.com) that has been educating people about the impacts of TIFs at the ward level for the past three years.

Speaking at the September 14 event was Mary Kubasak, President of the League of Women Voters of Illinois and Ann Logue, President of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. Also speaking briefly were authors from the book, including Tom Tresser, Amara Enyia and Jonathan Peck.

“We are delivering these books to our elected officials in order to widen and deepen the conversation about and the options for Chicago’s budget,” said Logue, “After all, a budget is a moral document as well as a fiscal document and we feel the need for a more inclusive and expansive discussion of Chicago’s priorities and how they are paid for is in order.”

“Our hope is that there will be public forums across the city discussing the ideas in this book” said Tresser.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization, dedicated to making democracy work through voter education, issue advocacy and citizen participation. More details at www.lwvil.org.

The book was paid for through a crowdfunding campaign where some 203 donors pitched in. The book was printed in Chicago at Salsedo press, a worker-owned union shop. The book is available at http://tinyurl.com/Order-Broke-Book for $12 plus shipping.

The book has started to make some news: Legendary political strategist Don Rose calls it “required reading”! Learn more from Chicago Defender story “Chicago Is Not Broke Says Experts.” Tom Tresser interviewed on WGN, thorough discussion of the book. Chicago News says “this book is a must read”! Book editor Tom Tresser was a guest on the “Good Evening Show with Pat Whalen.” This interview with Tom was in Chicago Magazine – http://tinyurl.com/Chicago-Magazine-Interview. This op-ed piece was published in Crain’s Chicago Business online: http://tinyurl.com/Crains-OpEd