After the Assembly passed the budget repair bill early Friday morning, tens of thousands of demonstrators turned out at the Capitol, culminating in the largest protest to date Saturday.
Union leaders, dissenters from around the state and even a few television actors showed their fury over the weekend for the bill that would strip state workers of their collective bargaining rights.
Some protesters applauded Democratic representatives for delaying the inevitable for as long as they did, while others said they should have fought harder.
""I'm proud that the Assembly was able to extend the debate for over a week, so our voices could be heard,"" said Randy Becker, a public school teacher from Verona. ""I'm disappointed that Republicans didn't want to listen.""
Other protesters weren't so sympathetic and blamed both parties for allowing the measure to pass, but pledged not to let the setback deter their protesting.
""I think they're a bunch of cowards,"" said Linda Kolodzne, a custodian at Fort Atkinson High School, who took the day off work to join the protests. ""Those that would have probably stood with us probably felt like they were shackled into to doing what their party wants them to, because they feel like they won't have job.""
Demonstrators who have been camping out in the capitol for almost two weeks were asked to leave at 4 p.m. Sunday, and while many left, those who stayed were not forcibly removed and remained in the building Sunday night.
The budget repair can now be taken up by the state Senate, but it still does not have the quorum necessary for a vote as the 14 Democratic Senators are still in Illinois. Despite this, Senate Republicans were able to move the bill past the stage where it can be amended Friday morning.
However, Senate Republicans are not completely unified on the budget repair bill. State Sen. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, is planning to vote against the bill, according to a post by liberal blog The Daily Kos. Two more Republicans would need to vote against the bill in order to keep it from passing.
—Patrick Tricker
