For Immediate Release

August 22, 2005

Blind Rally in Opposition to State’s “Rich Get Richer” Policies

 WHO:  Self employed blind business owners in Illinois in conjunction with the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors (ICBV)

 WHAT: A rally of blind business owners and their supporters denouncing the state’s rich get richer policy of robbing opportunities from the state’s blind and awarding contracts to the rich corporate sponsors and well connected political heavyweights. This is a follow up to an April demonstration held in Springfield marking the anniversary of Mr. John Gordon’s 8-day, 200 mile solo walk from Chicago to Springfield. Mr. Gordon is a blind business owner and the Chairman of the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 24^th 10:00 a.m. protest

WHERE: James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago (at the plaza)

WHY:  The blind business owners in Illinois are being denied access to jobs by the state of Illinois on a regular basis. While suffering from a staggering unemployment rate of 70%, job opportunities for the blind in Illinois are being snatched away from them right under their noses. Today the Governor’s agenda includes the awarding of sole source beverage contracts to big bottling conglomerates forcing the blind vendors to by and sell what he wants while forsaking the freedom of choice of the state’s employees and residents. Service contracts are also constantly being awarded to the politically connected rather that the blind business owners in direct violation of state law. Efforts to bring about adherence to state law 2420 “Blind Persons Operating Vending Facilities Act” have reached the attention of legislators and they are joining the fight for true blind justice. A shameful example of this reverse Robin Hood; the unlawful awarding of the concessions contract at Shabbona Lake by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to the politically connected Dekalb County board chairman, Denny Sands, who is most certainly not blind nor does he suffer from a 70% unemployment rate. The protest at the Thompson Center will to build on the success of an April 2005 rally in the state capitol and the protest walk of blind business owner John Gordon. His 8-day, 200-mile journey took him from downtown Chicago to the steps of the state capitol and drew much attention to the needs of the blind self-employed men and women and to the great injustices being committed by state agencies and Governor Rod Blagojevich. Blind men and women will once again force the public spotlight on the state where robbing from the poor and rewarding the rich and well connected is shamefully an everyday occurrence in Illinois.

Contact: Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors / 53 West Jackson Suite #522 / Chicago, Illinois 60604 / phone 312-663-3007 / fax 312-663-3008