Pictures

2013 in Photos

Pension Emergency Day in Bloomington-Normal (Photos)

Public sector workers gathered at State Senator Bill Brady’s office Monday afternoon to show their displeasure at a bill that would gut their pensions and raise the retirement age for employees under 45. Risking the support of thousands of active and retired state employees, Senator Brady announced in the press that he would vote for … Continue reading →

GMO Labeling Movement Pushes Ahead in Illinois

The first of three Illinois Senate subcommittee hearings on the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was held in Normal, Illinois, on June 20th, 2013. Illinois Senate bill SB1666, which is sponsored by Senators Koehler, Martinez, Cunningham, Sandoval, and Cullerton, is currently under consideration. SB1666 would require that GMO ingredients contained in food offered for … Continue reading →

The Tragedy of Sweatshops (Resources)

A concerned group of student and community activists attended Wednesday a Common Action Free School class on the issue of global sweatshop production. The class was led by Barbara Briggs, assistant director of the Institute for Global Labor and Human Rights, whose presentation and subsequent discussion was skyped for the audience. The discussion on sweatshops … Continue reading →

The Fracking Fight Continues in Illinois (Photos)

In a shameful capitulation to corporate power and influence, both chambers of the Illinois legislature voted Friday to give polluting industries – both oil and gas – regulatory protection to frack Illinois land. SB 1715 passed the House 108-9 on Thursday evening, and then the Senate approved it Friday afternoon. It is certain to be … Continue reading →

Anti-fracking Movement Pushes for Moratorium (Photos / Video)

As a sit-in against fracking continues at the Illinois state capitol, movement activists held a press conference Wednesday afternoon in front of the governor’s office and led a public meeting with Mary Morrissey, representative for attorney general Lisa Madigan. For excellent, detailed coverage of the afternoon, read Jeff Biggers’ “Live at Historic Vote in Illinois: … Continue reading →

Springfield’s March on Monsanto (Photos)

SPRINGFIELD – About 100 people gathered Saturday afternoon in front of the Illinois state capitol building to protest Monsanto. Protesters call for legislation, such as Illinois SB 1666, that would require labeling of genetically engineered food (GE food) and give people the right to know what food on supermarket shelves is GE, which Monsanto opposes. … Continue reading →

Occupy the Capitol (Fractivist Resources)

To directly access upcoming actions against fracking in Illinois, scroll down to the first section below. If you would like to add a resource, please include it in a comment to this post and it will be added. A sit-in at the Illinois state capitol – demanding to talk with Governor Quinn on the issue … Continue reading →

Gasland Part II Premieres in BloNo: Fighting Fracking with Art and Science (Photos / Video)

As Illinois legislators and political insiders threaten to green-light fracking for gas and oil in Illinois, a grassroots anti-fracking movement continued to gather momentum in central and southern Illinois. The environmental coalition – led in downstate Illinois by Illinois People’s Action (IPA) and Southern Illinoisans Against Fracturing Our Environment (SAFE) – got a shot in … Continue reading →

Ride of Silence 2013

BloNo bicyclists took part in the annual Ride of Silence, a national bike event promoting commuter safety and honoring cyclists killed on U.S. roadways.