PDA spent the weekend in Decatur and Bloomington/Normal Illinois this past weekend promoting the benefits of universal health care and supporting the candidacy of Dr David Gill (13th CD Illinois).
Conor Boylan, PDA National Field Director, and Kurt Bateman, Healthcare for All IOT Co-
coordinator, facilitated showings of The Healthcare Movie Friday evening
and again Saturday afternoon.
Organized by local PDA leader Debra Schrisuhn, the Friday evening
event was hosted by IBEW Local 146 in Decatur. Among those attending
the event were members of UAW Local 751 (Caterpillar) and Area UAW
Community Action Program (CAP) leadership along with the IBEW folk.
Insecurity of health care is a main issue of concern since Caterpillar
retirees lost much of their care when a VEBA went bankrupt some
years ago. Working folks Dr Gill would represent across the Illinois 13th
congressional district understand this first hand!
The Saturday event, also organized by Debra was hosted by the
Bloomington Area Labor and Trades Council. Dr Gill stopped by a
gathering held just before at Laborers Local 362 where the keynote
speaker was Illinois Senator Richard Durbin. Senator Durbin mentioned
the film during his address and recognized that Tommy Douglas was “The
Greatest Canadian”.
David Gill is criss-crossing the district daily while maintaining a schedule
that still includes caring for patients in the emergency department of a local
hospital. With such a grueling schedule it’s understandable that he was
only able to stop for a quick picture with Conor. He was then off to another
event out toward Peoria before we got started just after 1PM.
GO DR. GILL!