Thousands protest Gov. Daniels before Illinois speech - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Thousands of labor union members rallied in Champaign, IL before a speech from Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

The News-Gazette in Champaign reports that the rally was Thursday afternoon at the University of Illinois' Assembly Hall parking lot. Daniels spoke later Thursday at a Champaign County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner. Union leaders from Illinois and Indiana spoke at the rally before the crowd marched to the site of Daniels' speech.

Indiana has a new right-to-work law that allows workers to not pay union dues even if a union bargains on their behalf.

Champaign firefighter Pat Devaney is president of the Associated Firefighters of Illinois. He told the crowd there are lawmakers in Illinois who "want to take away collective bargaining."

Daniels focused on taxes and improving the business climate in his speech. He also talked about improving the country's economy by creating a business climate that attracts better jobs. Daniels says that happens by keeping taxes as low as possible.

Daniels says Indiana corporate income taxes, worker's compensation, unemployment insurance and property taxes are all lower than they are in Illinois.

Daniels is serving his second term as Indiana governor.

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