Illinois Governor Calls For Bank Of America Boycott

December 8, 2008 8:09 p.m. EST

Chicago, IL (AHN) - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday threatened to stop doing business with Bank of America for cutting credit to a door and window factory that led to the closure of the plant and termination of its 300 employees.

Blagojevich also said he will ask a federal court on Tuesday to compel the bank to restore credit to Republic Windows and Doors so it can give the severance and vacation pay of workers, who are on their fourth day of sit-in strike because of the closure.

"We expect these banks to bail out these businesses," the governor said after meeting Republic workers,according to CBS Station WBBM. He said the government provided bailout money to banks so these can provide credit to businesses in trouble.

Earlier, the Bank of America branch on the West Side were picketed by supporters of the Republic union workers. Officials of the bank told the Chicago Tribune it will continue to honor agreements with Republic and give the "maximum amount of funding" it can under the terms of the agreement. However, the officials said the bank has no power to direct the company on how to manage affairs.