| WASHINGTON,
D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today hailed the passage
of an economic stimulus package that would actually help unemployed workers
and families. The legislation would provide assistance to unemployed
workers who have exhausted their benefits. Almost 1.6 million workers have
exhausted their benefits since September 11, 2001.
“Workers
were promised help immediately after the bailout of the airlines and its
executives. They were next on the agenda. Six months later,
Republican leaders had to be dragged kicking and screaming to offer help
real help to unemployed workers. And they still didn’t finish the
job,” Schakowsky said.
The
House-passed economic stimulus bill includes 13 weeks of extended unemployment
insurance benefits, a package of tax incentives to aid the economic recovery
of New York City, 30% depreciation for equipment purchased after September
10, 2001 (effective for 3 years) and extension of tax provisions that expired/scheduled
to expire at the end of 2001.
“In
Illinois, an average of 3700 workers are exhausting their unemployment
benefits each week. This stimulus package will help workers and families
who have suffered long enough. But unless we take the next step and
provide health care assistance to the thousands of unemployed workers and
Medicaid relief for states, like Illinois who are facing severe budget
shortfalls, our job will not be complete. I will work with my colleagues
to achieve that goal,” Schakowsky said. |
