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Whitney: Voters Deserve a Choice

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-896549.mp3

Macomb, IL – Green Party candidate for Illinois Governor Rich Whitney says voters need an alternative to the poverty of choices offered by the Democratic and Republican parties.

"Our state is in trouble, and we need political leadership that reflects the public interest and not the interests of what I call the two corporate-sponsored parties," says Whitney. He says the Green Party is the real "people's party."

Whitney opposes the two-tiered public pension system signed into law this week by Democratic Governor Pat Quinn. He says the state deliberately underfunded the pension system over the years, resulting in the largest unfunded pension liability in the US. He blames members of both parties.

"State workers pay for those pensions. They contribute seven, eight, nine percent of their paychecks to go into the pension system," says Whitney. "And because the General Assembly cheated the pension system, I think it's hypocritical to then turn around say it's the workers' fault."

Whitney says the state needs a "responsible" revenue stream to adequately fund education, public services, and the pension system. He says the state's tax system is one of the most regressive in the US and needs to be restructured. He says Senate Bill 750 is an example of a plan that would bring about change.

"It involves raising the income tax, but it couples that with an expanded earned income credit and family income credit to protect lower and middle income earners," says Whitney.

Whitney believes Illinois should consider implementing a single payer health system. He says it would improve the quality of care and would attract businesses.

Whitney earned more than 10% of the vote in the 2006 election for governor. This year's campaign brought him to Macomb on April 15. He spoke to university students and attended several events.

He also stopped by the Tri States Public Radio studios, where he spoke with News Director Rich Egger. You can listen to that interview by clicking on the audio button.