Illinois Democrats Run from AFL-CIO Supported Proposal

Remember when Illinois Democrat Gov. Rod Blagojevich rallied union bosses and activists with a call for massive tax increases, declaring he was “on the side of the Lord?” The state AFL-CIO and the Illinois Education Association joined his cause demanding that business pay its “fair share.”

The Wall Street Journal notes that a “funny thing” happened — “The state’s more rational Democrats revolted, arguing it would drive businesses out of Illinois. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was an early opponent, and Democratic Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn was cool to it. House Speaker Michael Madigan very publicly withheld his support and last week came out against the tax hike.” In the end, the Gov. and the union bosses had egg on their face as the tax hike went down to defeat in the House by a vote of 107-0.

Perhaps a better tally would be:

Taxpayers 1
Union Bosses 0