In a letter to CIOP dated September 29, 2006, Russ Hagen, the President of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, stated, "In reviewing the living wage issue, as you explained your position, that this is an internal wage rate issue within the city of Bloomington. Since this is an internal issue our participation will be minimum." But now, under pressure from their members and only a month from election day, they have come out in opposition to a Living Wage, issuing a statement on October 2nd. Read the HOI 19 News story or view the Chamber's statement.

The outcome of the Bloomington Election Commission, six hour hearing determined that we needed 1496 signatures, and we came in with 1497 (after 422 challenges and counter-challenges)!!! ONE VOTE MADE THE DIFFERENCE!!! Thank you all for your hard work on the petition and your prayers as we faced this challenge. And for everyone who signed the petition, you own the right to tell others it was because of YOUR signature that all voters in Bloomington will be able to vote on making Living Wage a reality in their community come November! For more info email: ciop@comcast.net

On Monday, August 11th, CIOP leaders and friends held a celebratory rally at Withers Park in downtown Bloomington and then marched to the Government Center to deliver the, nearly 1750, signatures of Bloomington residents who believe that Bloomington city workers should be paid a living wage. The collection of these signatures will result in the people of Bloomington being given the opportunity to have their voices heard on the living wage issue when a non-binding resolution is placed on the ballot in the November election. This is a great success in the struggle for living wage!

The Central Illinois Organizing Project recently reinvigorated its living wage efforts, taking on two young organizers to head the campaign. The initial goal of this campaign was gathering petition signatures. Once a certain number of signatures were collected - 1,525 from registered Bloomington voters - a non-binding referendum will appear on the November ballot. CIOP surpassed the 1,525 criteria in July. This will allow CIOP, politicians, and the public to gauge public response to the Living Wage Issue.

CIOP now begins the second part of the campaign: educating the public on the issue, and helping individuals understand just what it means to be part of a community that supports a Living Wage. The idea is this: let the people decide how much to pay their workers; let the people choose to make their town one that pays its workers a fair and decent wage; let the people create justice in Central Illinois.

CIOP would like to thank the many volunteers from churches, unions, and neighborhood organizations who have participated in canvassing. - by Tyler Miller

As a faith-based organization, we see this as an issue of justice. CIOP has led the fight to end predatory lending practices and has helped low and moderate income people purchase a home. We have fought for night bus service in Springfield, Illinois so those without cars and people with disabilities are not trapped at night. We work to help family farmers who practice responsible and sustainable agriculture. It is within this context that we are endorsing a living wage.

The development and moneyed interests are certainly being represented in our government and in this arena. We represent those who believe that this arena should benefit the entire community. We represent those who believe in hard work and see the benefits to the community and to the arena in paying a fair wage. We represent an inter-faith community that is unique in our area bringing together people of conscience to work for a just and prosperous community.

The term "living wage" is fluid. The actual amount varies from community to community based upon the cost of living in that community. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, in 2006, an individual seeking a one-bedroom apartment in Bloomington would need to earn $9.52/hour to meet federal guidelines that individuals not spend more than 30% of his/her gross income for rent. There are many methodologies for determining what a living wage is in a community - we believe basic housing costs is an appropriate way - but there are others such as an increased percentage over poverty levels.

Living Wage seeks to responsibly and affordably raise the hourly rate for workers contracted or sub-contracted to the City of Bloomington, Illinois. This specifically includes part-time workers employed by the City (school crossing guards and City Hall janitors) and the hundreds of employees for the US Cellular Coliseum.

An anti-living wage argument raised by some is it shouldn't apply for part-time workers. We couldn't disagree more! One of the leading causes of poverty in central Illinois is underemployment. We are aware all too well that many low income citizens string together multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. In fact, we are aware of homeless citizens who work at the Coliseum to survive. Shouldn't our community help them make a living wage?

• Jobs with the City of Bloomington should be a means out of poverty and not a means of perpetuating poverty.
• Our community has a right and an obligation to set wages for our own workforce.
• The 2006 Living Wage rate of $9.52 per hour equates to only about 10 cents per ticket at the new arena.

If we want to tackle poverty head-on we need to put more money in people's pockets. Though the causes of poverty is multi-faceted, the leading factor in Central Illinois is underemployment. Underemployment is being employed but either through limited hours or being paid minimum wage (usually a combination) a wage earner finds themselves unable to be lifted out of poverty.

Though the state of Illinois minimum wage rate increased to $6.50 on January 1, 2005 (up from the federal minimum of $5.15), a worker must still work at least 53 hours to afford the same standard one-bedroom apartment in Bloomington-Normal, IL.