MAGNIFICENT MILE — More than 20 senior citizens rallying against proposed cuts to state social services were arrested for blocking Michigan Avenue on Monday morning.
Police arrested 22 demonstrators, who formed a wall blocking traffic on the 400 block of North Michigan Avenue at about 11 a.m. Monday, said Anna Marin, an organizer for the Jane Addams Senior Caucus.
The caucus and other groups led the protest in response to proposed cuts to state social services including home health aides, Meals on Wheels, and physical therapy. The group had moved off the street by 11:40 a.m., leading chants against the cuts and urging higher taxes on the wealthy to address Illinois' budget concerns. Monday's protest was the eighth event the caucus has led against the proposed service cuts.
"I'm here today because I believe we need revenue, not cuts," said Ann Marie Cunningham, a caucus leader who lives in the Hollywood House senior apartments in Edgewater. "This budget isn't just hurting seniors, it's hurting families."
Cunningham and others led chants including "Love they neighbor as thyself / tax the rich and share the wealth."
A state budget for next fiscal year has yet to be approved, though the group of about 100 demonstrators pinned the proposed service cuts on Gov. Bruce Rauner. In an e-mail, Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly blamed state legislators including House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) for the budget impasse.
"The administration has taken a series of management steps to responsibly manage the state's finances, because Speaker Madigan, Senate President Cullerton and the legislators Madigan controls overspent taxpayer money causing a $4 billion deficit," Kelly said in a statement. "The governor has tried to negotiate on critical reforms to free up resources to help the most vulnerable and pass a balanced budget, but unfortunately, the Speaker continues to block those reforms at the expense of the most vulnerable and the middle class."
Top police officials including Central District Commander Alfred Nagode were on hand to manage the scene. Police News Affairs Officer Jose Estrada declined to comment on the protest.
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