Illinois cuts ties with Sudan

[Robbien]

Illinois no longer will deal with companies who do business in the war-plagued Sudan. A bill signed into law Saturday by the governor seeks to pressure the Sudanese government to end its policies of violence and displacement by yanking on its purse strings, said state Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-Chicago) one of the bill's cosponsors.

"Our humanity diminishes whenever we profit from the slaughter and suffering of others," Collins said. "This legislation hits the Sudanese government where it counts, in the pocketbook."

Two of Illinois' five pension funds have $1 billion invested with 32 companies working in Sudan. They will have 18 months to redirect the money. Federal law already prohibits American companies from doing any business with Sudan. The Illinois law targets investments in foreign companies that conduct business in the north African country, and forbids the state treasury from depositing money or contracting with any such businesses.

. . .

llinois is the first of what Pflager hopes will be many states to pull all its money from the Sudan. Similar bills are pending in six other states. "Hopefully this is going to have a ripple effect; A lot of times people take action when they're embarassed into it," he said.

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/264nd1.htm

[Spinzonner]

1. Will they be withdrawing their ambassador also ?

I didn't know Illinois had a foreign policy.

[Wabbajack]

2. Is making Sudan even poorer by doing this really helping?

It worked in South Africa but isn't in Cuba.