My husband and I were hoping to move closer to Chicago in order to have better success in finding additional jobs as well as saving money on traveling. Over the past few months, rentals we have looked at either in the newspaper or online have skyrocketed. Tiny apartments, with few amenities and allowances for pets such as cats, are more than the rent we pay currently for a reasonably-sized home. This petition is for hard-working, fixed income persons and their families to rally the local and state government to force landlords to lower rents and cap the rents in consideration to those who rent and are not section 8 candidates.

Paid sick days help keep families financially secure, workplaces and communities healthy and strong, and businesses and the economy productive. A study conducted by our very own University of Pittsburgh found that allowing all employees access to paid sick days would reduce influenza infections in the workplace. More than 20 other cites or states, including Philadelphia, have adopted paid sick day laws. It’s time to add Pittsburgh to the list!

On the night of Monday June 15, The Hill reported: [1] "House GOP leaders are punting on voting again on President Obama's trade agenda, possibly until the end of July. After Friday's failed vote to pass aid for workers displaced by trade deals, known as Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) set up a process allowing the House to conduct a do-over of the vote by Tuesday. But Obama and GOP leadership aren't yet in a position where TAA is any more likely to pass. So the House Rules Committee on Monday night attached a provision to a "rule" governing parameters for debate on the intelligence authorization bill that extends the possibility for the chamber to vote on TAA again to July 30." Pro-fast track forces in the House are admitting that they are defeated for now. Thank the House for defeating fast track on Friday by signing our petition. References: 1. http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/245070-house-gop-punts-on-trade

I have heard many stories of senior citizens who are on fixed incomes being saddled with student loan debt which has been hounding them for decades due to high interest and other fees being piled on to the original loan. I myself have had student loans. The original amount I borrowed was 65 thousand. The amount I owe now is over 150 thousand dollars after twenty years of payments. I will be making so little in retirement, I fear the student loan payment will take away money I will need for basic needs.

The following critical jobs, programs and services are at risk if we are faced with a government shutdown: DHS PERSONAL SERVICES REGULAR POSITIONS STUDENT MEMBER/INMATE COMPENS RETIREMENT DHS SOCIAL SECURITY SOC SEC/MEDICARE CONTRIBUTIONS EMPLOYER CONTRB GRP INSURANCE CMS FLEET MANAGEMENT CONTR SVCS/PRIVATE HOSPITALS CONTRACTUAL SERVICES CONTRACTUAL SERVICES IT MGT ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGEMENT LEASED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PRESS INFO. OFFICERS MGMT. TRAVEL COMMODITIES PRINTING EQUIPMENT ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TELECOMMUNICATION OPERATION OF AUTO EQUIPMENT ADDICTION PREVENT RELATED SERV BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIAL PROJECTS DHS INTER AGENCIES SUPPORT SERVICES ENERGY CONSERVATION & FRAMEWORK PROJECT PROGRAM IMPLEMENT FIREARE CONCEAL & CARRY MEDICARE PART D STATE OPERATED MH FACILITIES MIS TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT OPERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYMT PRIVATE RESOURCES PROJECT CORNERSTONE - OPERATIONS PYMT FOR ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS SECONDARY TRANSITIONAL EXPER SEXUALLY VIOLENT PERSONS PRGM STATE OPERATED DD FACILITIES ALCOHOL & SUB ABUSE PREV&TREAT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIAL PROJECTS DHS RECOVERIES TRUST FEDERALLY ASSISTED PROGRAMS MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH PROG MATERNAL/CHILD HEALTH PROG PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS STATEWIDE DEAF EVALUATION CTR SUPPORT SERV INSERVICE TRNG SUPPORT SERVICES FRAMEWORK PROJECT PROGRAM ADDICTION PREVENT RELATED SERV ADDICTION TREAT SERVICES ADDICTION TREAT/MEDICAID ELGIB ADDICTION TREAT/MEDICAID ELGIB - CARE COORD ADDICTION TREATMNT & RELATE SV ADDITION PREVENT RELATED SERV AID TO AGED BLIND OR DISABLED ARC OF IL LIFE SPAN PROJECT BEST BUDDIES CASE SERVICES MIGRANT WORKERS CASE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS CHILDREN'S PLACE CHILDREN'S WELLNESS CHARITIES CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROJ COALITION F/TECH ASSIST-CHILD COMMUNITY GRANTS DCFS CLIENTS DD PURCHASE OF CARE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM FAMILY PLANNING PROG X FEDERAL HEALTHY START PROG GRNTS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES GROUP HOME LOANS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMELESS YOUTH SERVICES HOUSING FOR FAMILIES HUNGER RELIEF CHECKOFF IL COALITION CITIZENS WITH DIS IMPLEMENT TITLE IV PART C INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS INFANT MORTALITY MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH PROG MH BLOCK C&A MH BLOCK GRANTS MH ICG'S PROJECT FOR AUTISM RAPE VICTIMS/PREVENTION ACT REFUGEES SERVICE DISABLED INDIVIDUALS SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES SNAP EDUCATION SUPPORTIVE FOOD PROG WIC TANF - ARRA TEMP ASSIST FOR NEEDY FAMILIES TORT CLAIMS TORT CLAIMS 81 TORT CLAIMS EMPLOYEES FUNERAL AND BURIAL EXPENSES FREE DISTRIBUTION FOOD SUPPLEM ADDICTION PREVENT RELATED SERV ADDICTION PREVENTION & RELATED ADDICTION TREATMENT & RELATED ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES ADDICTION TREATMENT-SPEC POP ASSETS FOR INDEPENDENCE ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS AUTISM AWARENESS AUTISM RESEARCH CHECKOFF CHILD CARE SERVICE GREAT START CHILD CARE SERVICES COMM TRANSITIONS & SYSTEM REBALANCING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES COMMUNITY REINTEGRATION PROGRAM COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY SERV COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS TREATMENT CRISIS NURSERY CHECKOFF DCFS CILAs DD BALANCING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS DD GRANTS & LONG TERM CARE DD GRANTS & POC DD LONG TERM CARE DD TRANSITIONS DHS COMMUNITY SERVICES DHS FEDERAL PROJECTS FUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS DONATED FUNDS INITIATIVE PROG DRS BALANCING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM EMERGENCY & TRANSITIONAL HOUSING EMERGENCY FOOD PROGRAM EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS PROGRAM EMPLOYABILITY DEVELOP SERV EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING PROG FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAMS FARMER'S MARKET NUTRITION FARMER'S MARKET TECHNOLOGY FED/STATE EMPLOYMENT PROG FOOD STAMP EMPLOYMT & TRNG FOR CHILDREN'S HEALTH PROGRAMS GEAR UP HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAID TRUST HEALTHY FAMILIES - GRANTS HOME & COMMUNITY BASED WAIVER HOME SERVICES PROGRAM HOME SERVICES PROGRAM - CARE COORD HOMELESS PREVENTION HOMELESS YOUTH SERVICES IL CHICAGO AREA PROJECT IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION SERVICES INDEPEND LIVING BLIND FORMULA INDEPENDENT LIVING OLDER BLIND JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANTS - ARRA JUVENILE ACCOUNTABILITY BLOCK GRANT (JABG) JUVENILE JUSTICE PLANNING MEDICAID-MENTAL ILL/KID CARE MEDICAL BILLS & RELATED EXPENSES MH BALANCING INCENTIVE PROGRAMS MH CARE COORDINATION MH GRANTS, C&A, TRANSITIONS, & SOF MH PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS MIEC HOME VISTING PROGRAM MIGRANT DAY CARE SERVICES OPEN DOOR PROJECT PARENTS TOO SOON PARTNERSHIP FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM PILOT PROGRAM OPIOID DEPENDENTS PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS RACE TO THE TOP REDEPLOY ILLINOIS REFUGEE SETTLEMENT SERVICES REFUGEE SOCIAL SERVICES SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES AND PREVENTION SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROG SNAP EDUCATION SNAP OUTREACH SPECIAL OLYMPICS IL FUND SPECIAL SERVICES SPECIALIZED MH REHABILITATIVE FACILITY COMM PROGRAM SSI ADVOCACY SERVICES SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SERVICES SUPPORTIVE MI HOUSING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT TEEN PARENTS SERVICES TEEN SUICIDE WELCOMING CENTERS WESTSIDE HEALTH AUTHORITY CRISES INTERVENTION WIC NUTRITION PROGRAM WIC PROGRAM - ARRA YOUTH PROGRAMS BUILDING REPAIRS ELGIN MISC PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS REFUNDS-DHS FEDERAL PROJECTS REFUNDS-DRUG TREATMENT REFUNDS-EARLY INTERVENTION REFUNDS-GENERAL REVENUE FUND REFUNDS-MAT CHILD HLTH BLK GRT REFUNDS-MENTAL HEALTH REFUNDS-SEXUAL ASSAULT REFUNDS-VOCATIONAL REHABILITA REFUNDS-WIC PROGRAM REFUNDS-YOUTH DRUG ABUSE PREV

UPDATE: On Friday, the House did exactly what this petition called for: stopped the fast track package by voting down TAA. But Boehner has indicated he will try to overturn this victory by having another vote on TAA as early as Monday afternoon. Please sign and share our petition to push the House to stand firm on its NO vote on TAA. === DC press has reported that the most likely way for Fast Track trade authority for the TPP to be defeated in the House is for TAA – “Trade Adjustment Assistance” – to be defeated. The Hill reports: “The TAA vote is important, because if it fails it will cause the entire fast-track package to collapse on the floor… Democrats are expected to provide most of the votes for the TAA bill, meaning defections from that party could endanger the package… Pelosi … acknowledged the opportunity exists to take down the entire package by voting against TAA.” [1] Any Democrat who votes for TAA right now is voting to pass Fast Track and the TPP. The AFL-CIO and the Congressional Progressive Caucus urge a NO vote on TAA. Urge House Democrats to vote NO on TAA to defeat Fast Track and the TPP by signing and sharing our petition. References: 1. http://thehill.com/policy/finance/244679-high-drama-as-trade-vote-nears

Texas' minimum wage should be raised to $9.25 per hour because most Texas natives cannot live off of $7.25 per hour. With this raise, our economy would prosper and income inequality would be reduced. This raise can majorly impact all of our lives for the better.

I expect transparency regarding something as far reaching as this trade agreement. For this reason, I believe that it should have a full hearing in Congress. Fast Tracking it will not allow this to happen and will effectively let it pass without the public, or even the Congress, to have access to the full text of the trade agreement.

With just DAYS LEFT, the restaurant lobby just launched a major push to KILL the $15 an hour movement. $15 is winnable -- but only if we speak up before Monday, June 15. That’s the day the wage board formed to decide whether to raise fast-food pay in New York is holding a big hearing in New York City. If New York raises fast-food pay to $15, it will boost paychecks for 180,000 New Yorkers -- most adults, many supporting families. They deserve to be able to pay their rent and feed their families. And this action would trigger a wave of raises for low-wage workers across the country. If minimum wage had simply kept pace with worker productivity since 1968, it would be well over $15 today. Instead, CEOs have gotten richer and richer, while the working class struggles to get by. Tell the wage board: It’s time for $15.

With just DAYS LEFT, the restaurant lobby just launched a major push to KILL the $15 an hour movement. Right now, your message to the New York wage board to raise wages for fast-food workers to $15 an hour is more important than EVER. The restaurant lobby is fighting tooth-and-nail to kill or weaken the wage board’s decision – we need to show them that New York NEEDS $15 today. We need every signature in by the big hearing in New York City on Monday, June 15. Time is running out – sign now.

The State Legislature has opted to not honor state employee contracts resulting in layoff notices to some 10,000 employees. The Legislature is citing a budget deficit of $3 billion dollars, but that isn't the real reason. Alaska has a rainy day fund of over $10 billion to deal with budget shortfalls like this. These layoffs mean state government departments would curtail or eliminate vital services should the Alaska Legislature's budget impasse continue resulting in a partial government shutdown occur on July 1. Here are just a few services that will be affected: Department of Transportation: A dozen state airports would operate at reduced hours. Department of Administration: Oversight of elected officials and lobbyists would stop; labor contract bargaining would cease; and hundreds of state leases will not be paid in full. Department of Military and Veteran Affairs: All Office of Veterans Affairs staff members would be laid off. All Alaska Military Youth Academy staffers would be laid off after August. Only three staff members would stay on at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development: service reductions and cuts would impact rural utility assistance. Department of Education: State general funds for early learning will be reduced by $5.7 million, potentially closing Head Start programs. Department of Labor: All staff members would be laid off at the Alaska Labor Relations Agency, Wage and Hour Administration, and the Alaska Workforce Investment Board.

The Michigan State House just passed House Bill 4052, which would take power away from communities in order to protect corporate profits. Now it's coming up for a vote in the State Senate. Special interests shouldn’t be allowed to overturn decisions they don’t like made by local governments, but now they’re trying to prevent local laws that reflect our values, like making our workplaces healthier and requiring community benefit agreements when taxpayer resources are used in development projects. Tell your senator, committee members, and sponsor Rep. Poleski to protect local progress today.