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Balanced Budget Protestors Arrested Outside Statehouse

Thirty-four activists were arrested outside Gov. Bruce Rauner’s Statehouse office last night.

They’d come to Springfield on foot, marching about 200 miles from Chicago. The protestors wanted to pass a so-called “People and Planet First Budget” — taxing the wealthy to pay for universal health care and free tuition at public universities.  Members zip-tied themselves to each other by the wrist to block access to Rauner’s offices.

Organizer Joe Padilla said his group originally intended to stay overnight.

 "We marched 200 miles over 15 days for this budget, in blistering heat, and heavy storms, 20- to 25-mile-an-hour winds," he said. "One more night is nothing."

Organizers say 34 people chose to be arrested and led away in handcuffs. They were given citations, escorted from the building, and let go.

Rauner did not address the demonstrators, but four Democratic lawmakers lingered until the last protester was arrested.

Daisy Contreras/Illinois Issues /

Copyright 2017 WNIJ Northern Public Radio

Daisy reports on various assignments for NPR Illinois. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting master’s degree program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she spent time covering the legislative session for NPR Illinois' Illinois Issues. Daisy interned then researched for the Chicago Reporter. She obtained an associate degree in French language from Harry S Truman College and a bachelor's degree in communications from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Before coming to Springfield, Daisy worked in communication roles for several Chicago non-profits. Daisy is from Chicago where she attended Lane Tech High School.
Daisy Contreras
Daisy reports on statehouse issues for our Illinois Issues project. She's currently a Public Affairs Reporting graduate program student at the University of Illinois Springfield. She graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with an associates degrees from Truman College. Daisy is from Chicago where she attended Lane Tech High School.