Work, Welfare & Families

A Division of the

Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

www.workwelfareandfamilies.org
wwf@workwelfareandfamilies.org
312.658.0225 (phone)
312.658.0227 (fax)
166 W. Washington
Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60602

January 16, 2007 WEEKLY REVIEW
Provided through the Generous Support of the McCormick Tribune Foundation

In this issue:

Work, Welfare and Families has merged with the

Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

Click here to read on...

STUDY: ILLINOIS' STRUCTURAL DEFICIT

State's deficit estimated to increase by over $6 billion in the next five years

THE STATE OF POVERTY

How far does $19,307 go in America today?

STUDY: HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness Counts: The facts on homelessness are hard to come by

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

HUD programs, nutrition bill, Family and Medical Leave Act

UPCOMING AUDIO CONFERENCES: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Conference calls to address transitional jobs and job quality issues

ONLINE TRAINING

Federal budget advocacy made simple

ANTI-HUNGER EVENT

National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 17, 2007: CTBA's Annual Fiscal Symposium (Chicago)
January 17, 2007: Making the Connection: Basic Training (Naperville)
January 17, 2007: Men's Initiative Kickoff, Chicago Foundation for Women (Videoconference sites in Chicago, Carterville, Rockford, Springfield, Macomb and Urbana)
January 18, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Chicago Heights)
January 18, 2007: 2007 Chicago City Budget Forum (Chicago)
January 22, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Joliet)
January 23, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Aurora)
January 24, 2007: Changing Demographics of Children in Chicago: A Public Policy Forum (Chicago)
January 24, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Rolling Meadows)
January 25, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Chicago)
January 25-27, 2007: The Chicago Early Education, Child Care, and School-Age Conference (Chicago)
January 31, 2007: Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management (Berwyn)
February 6, 2007: Illinois Action for Children's Statewide Public Policy Caucus (Springfield)
February 14, 2007: Immigrants and Public Benefits Training (Naperville)
February 14, 2007: Can a Piece of Paper Keep a Battered Person Safe? Lessons From Recent Research on Orders of Protection (Chicago)
February 25-27, 2007: Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (Washington DC)
February 27, 2007: National Association of Social Workers - IL Chapter Lobby Day (Springfield)
March 14, 2007: Making the Connection: Basic Training (Naperville)
March 27-28, 2007:Illinois Action for Children's Annual Conference and Lobby Day: Spring Into Action 2007 (Springfield)
April 12, 2007: Understanding the Public Benefits Appeal Process Training (Naperville)
April 12, 2007: Understanding Spenddown Training (Naperville)
May 17, 2007: Making the Connection: Basic Training (Naperville)

STUDY: ILLINOIS' STRUCTURAL DEFICIT

STATE'S DEFICIT ESTIMATED TO INCREASE BY OVER $6 BILLION IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

Study: Increasing the Number of Projected High Paying Jobs Results in Only a Minor Reduction in Illinois' Growing Structural Deficit

Findings will be released at CTBA’s Sixth Annual Fiscal Symposium on Wednesday January 17, 2007

A study issued by the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) shows that, without additional revenue, Illinois’ state deficit will increase by more than $6 billion over the next five years, even without adding or expanding any programs.

The study, Private Sector Job Trends and The Illinois Structural Deficit: What Illinois’ Changing Economy Means For The Demand For Public Services and The State’s Fiscal Capacity to Fund Them, finds that the $6 billion increase is the result of a tax system that does not generate enough revenue to continue funding the current level of public services into the future, adjusting solely for inflation and population growth. This fiscal mismatch is called a “structural deficit.”

In addition to an unsustainable state revenue system, the study also found that increasing the number of high paying jobs in the state will not solve the problem. The 2005 State of Working Illinois Report projected that over the next ten years, less than half (only 41%) of all new jobs created in Illinois will pay more than the state's current median wage. Yet, even if the number of projected high paying jobs was substantially increased to 60% of all new jobs, there would be only a minor reduction in Illinois' growing structural deficit as the state would only gain an additional $80 million in direct and indirect tax revenue per year over the next decade. This limited impact of high paying jobs on the state’s ability to generate revenue is a direct result of the longstanding structural flaws in the state fiscal system that severely limit Illinois' ability to generate revenue that responds adequately to economic growth.

Further, the report found that declining wage and benefit levels for workers, coupled with the transition in the state's economy away from its traditional manufacturing base and towards service sectors, can be anticipated to challenge Illinois state government's ability to raise revenue and provide the public services that will increasingly be in demand.

The report concludes that Illinois can accomplish sustainable tax reform and maintain its overall, low-tax competitiveness, by following the fundamental principles of sound, capitalist taxation; that is, taxation should be fair, responsive to economic growth, stable during recessions, and not over reliant on local property tax revenue.

The study will be released at CTBA’s Sixth Annual Fiscal Symposium on Wednesday, January 17, 2007. The symposium will feature several prominent state and national leaders who will discuss the key public sector investments in infrastructure, like schools, housing, transit and healthcare that will create a positive business climate and help make Illinois competitive in a global economy.

The moderator for the event will be Carol Marin, political columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, political editor of NBC 5 News, and co-director of the DePaul Documentary Project. Speakers for the event include:

Mike Lawrence – Director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University and Former Press Secretary & Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jim Edgar
Jim Ryan – Former Illinois Attorney General
Representative Donald L. Moffitt – (R-74th district)
R. Eden Martin – President, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago
MarySue Barrett – President, Metropolitan Planning Council
Richard Sims – Chief Executive Officer, Sierra Institute on Applied Economics
Greg LeRoy – Executive Director, Good Jobs First
Robin Kelly – Chief of Staff, Treasurer’s Office and former (D-38th district)
Diane Palmer – Director of Communications, Regional Transportation Authority

For more information and to view CTBA’s Sixth Annual Fiscal Symposium agenda, click here.

Click here to read CTBA's new report, Private Sector Job Trends and The Illinois Structural Deficit: What Illinois’ Changing Economy Means For The Demand For Public Services and The State’s Fiscal Capacity to Fund Them.

THE STATE OF POVERTY

HOW FAR DOES $19,307 GO IN AMERICA TODAY?

Budgeting for Poverty

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development has developed a powerful video that illustrates in stark terms what it really means to make ends meet when you are living in a state of poverty. Click here to watch this video.

Below is a text version of the Campaign's Budgeting for Poverty video:

The federal government says a family of four earning $19,307 or less a year is living in poverty.

But how far does $19,307 go in America today?

How do you budget? What do you leave out?

You make the hard choices.

Housing?

In America, a family of four earning less than $19,307 a year will spend on average $5,329 annually for

the most basic of shelter.

$19,307

- 5,329

13,978

Utilities?

To keep a family of four warm and secure, the average expense for utilities and public services runs

$2,309 a year.

$13,978

- 2,309

11,669

Transportation?

A family at the poverty line will spend $4,920 a year to own and maintain a used car, and fill it with the gas and oil needed to go to work, to daycare, to the store, wherever.

$11,669

- 4,920

6,749

Food?

Even with public assistance such as food stamps, families making less than $19,307 will spend $4,102 a year on food at home and away.

$6,749

- 4,102

2,647

Health Care?

Even if an employer contributes part of the costs of health insurance, a family of four at the poverty line would still pay on average $2,132 a year for health and medical expenses. The cost of not having health

insurance, however, could be devastating.

$2,647

- 2,132

515

Child Care?

The costs in a metropolitan-area child care center for two children five and under can reach over $13,000 a year. Even with child care subsidies, low income families with two small children will spend on average

average $2,300 a year on child care.

$515

- 2,300

- 1,785

So now you’re $1,785 over budget, and you still don’t have everything you need.

What did you leave out?

Toiletries, School Supplies, Shoes, Clothes, Holiday Gifts, Education,

Life Insurance, Furnishings, Recreation, Cleaning Supplies,

Entertainment, Birthday Gifts

These are the decisions that people are forced to make every day when they live

In the state of poverty.

Visit www.povertyusa.org to learn more.

Check out these additional resources from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development:

Budgeting for Poverty video
Geography of American Poverty – An interactive map
This is a great map detailing the poverty rate, child poverty rate and senior poverty rate for each state in the U.S. The map also has a navigation tool that illustrates which states lead the country in poverty rates, child poverty rates and rates of violence.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development website

STUDY: HOMELESSNESS

HOMELESSNESS COUNTS: THE FACTS ON HOMELESSNESS ARE HARD TO COME BY

On January 10th, 2007, the Homelessness Research Institute at the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), working with data provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), released its report, "Homelessness Counts." The report is the first attempt to measure homelessness in the United States since 1996, providing State-by-State census data on people living without adequate housing. NAEH estimates that there were 744, 313 homeless people in the U.S. as of January 2005. Out of these nearly three-quarters of a million people, the report states that 44% were living unsheltered, and 41% of these persons were in families.

NAEH, which revealed a Ten Year Plan to end poverty in 2000, believes that defining the scope of the issue and increasing public awareness will allow for the development of coordinated efforts to end homelessness. Data found in their recent report was gathered from service providers throughout the country and directed to HUD, who enlisted NAEH to help process the numbers.

But aside from data analysis, advocates are questioning whether or not the numbers could possibly tell the true story of homelessness in the U.S. According to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the methodology used by HUD is grossly insufficient. HUD defines "homelessness" as those without adequate housing, but omits those who are living "doubled up" (a significant number of people are forced to share living spaces with friends or family on a temporary basis) and people who spend nights in other places such as at motels, camp grounds, or sleeping in cars. In contrast to HUD, the Federal Department of Education uses the more expansive definition of the term. This definition supports programs such as the Chicago Public Schools Homeless Education Program, which focuses on the needs and rights of homeless students.

NAEH believes that "what gets measured, gets done." In December 2006, CCH estimated that there were 12,691 homeless children in FY 2006 who were missed by both the Chicago Public School and Chicago Department of Human Services. While the 2007 report brings much needed attention the issue of homelessness, chances are the numbers are falling short.

Read CCH's report findings by clicking here.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

HUD PROGRAMS, NUTRITION BILL, FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Housing Action Illinois shares information on how you can take action to urge your U.S. Representative and Senators to adequately fund all HUD programs for FY07. Click here to learn how.

The Food Research and Action Center has put together an Action Alert, urging organizations to sign-on to a letter in support of a strong Nutrition Title of the 2007 Farm Bill. Click here to learn more and to sign-on to the letter of support.

The National Partnership for Women & Families and the Coalition on Human Needs provides an opportunity to write a letter in support of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Click here for more information and to read the Action Alert. Click here to write a letter.

UPCOMING AUDIO CONFERENCES: WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CONFERENCE CALLS TO ADDRESS TRANSITIONAL JOBS AND JOB QUALITY ISSUES

Transitional Jobs for Hard-to-Employ TANF Recipients: The Creation and Expansion of TJ Programs Within the Guidelines of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.

Thursday, January 18 at 1:30 p.m. (EST). Speakers include:

Sharon Parrott, Director of Welfare Reform and Income Support, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities
Diane Klontz, Community Jobs Program Manager, Community Trade and Economic Development, Washington State
Abbey Frank, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy, moderator

The passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) significantly changed the structure of the work requirements mandated in the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Faced with increased work participation rate requirements and stricter definitions of the allowable work activities, states are now facing difficult choices regarding their TANF programs. One program model that has been proven to improve employment outcomes is transitional jobs (TJ) programs. TJ programs have been used successfully to provide hard-to-employ TANF recipients with paid work experience. This audio conference will both outline the ways in which states can report participation in transitional jobs programs under the interim final rules issued by HHS and provide detailed information about the expansion of the statewide transitional jobs program in Washington State in light of these new requirements.

To register for the call, please e-mail Melissa Young at the National Transitional Jobs Network, myoung@heartlandalliance.org. Space is limited.

Getting the Job Quality Picture Right: What's the Problem? What's the Solution?

Thursday, February 8 at 3 p.m. (EST). Speakers include:

Jared Bernstein, Director Living Standards Program, Economic Policy Institute
Anthony Carnevale, Senior Fellow, National Center on Education and the Economy, and Education Center
Laura Dresser, Associate Director, Center on Wisconsin Strategy
Evelyn Ganzglass, Director of Workforce Development, Center for Law and Social Policy, moderator

There is strong evidence that those with more education do better in the labor market than those with less education. Yet, educational attainment is no guarantee of economic security, and greater investment in education alone cannot solve the problems faced by low-wage workers in today's labor market. Where should state and local policy makers and advocates place their priorities? How should they better coordinate workforce and economic development policies to expand opportunity and create good jobs? The first 75 registrants will participate in the LIVE call. Click here to register.

ONLINE TRAINING

FEDERAL BUDGET ADVOCACY MADE SIMPLE

The President's budget will be out on February 5. Will you be ready?

The Coalition on Human Needs (CHN) is offering an online training session to address:

What's at stake for human needs in the coming year's budget decisions
The basics: how the budget process works, when decisions are made, and who makes them
Practical tools to help you make the case for the right budget priorities.

Wednesday, January 24, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)
Thursday, February 1, 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time)

Closer to your session, you will receive an email with instructions on how to connect to the online training. Please note that in order to participate in the training you will need a computer with internet access, speakers, and an audio streaming program, such as iTunes or Real Player. These programs can be downloaded for free onto your computer.

Presenters:

Martha Coven, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Deborah Weinstein, Coalition on Human Needs

This training is primarily intended for state/local advocates who plan to use the information to inform policymakers and/or the press about the impact of federal budget proposals on their state/community.

Space is limited, so RSVP soon by clicking the date of your choice above.

Questions? Please contact Maricela Donahue, mdonahue@chn.org, or call (202) 223-2532 x27.

ANTI-HUNGER EVENT

NATIONAL ANTI-HUNGER POLICY CONFERENCE

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network, in cooperation with the National CACFP Forum, will be holding their annual anti-hunger policy conference February 25-27, in Washington, D.C. The conference brings together a diverse group of more than 350 advocates from anti-hunger and anti-poverty, food bank, child care, human needs, religious, children's, immigrant, sustainable agriculture, education, and other communities for three days of training, organizing, and networking.

The conference includes in-depth trainings and workshops on a range of topics and programs including: child nutrition, emergency food assistance, food stamps, child care food, economic security, tax and a variety of issues related to anti-hunger and anti-poverty efforts. The conference concludes with “Tuesday on Capitol Hill”, which gives participants the opportunity to meet with Members of Congress and staff. For workshop information and for registration information, please visit the FRAC conference webpage or contact Iris Chavez (202/986-2200 x3017 or ichavez@frac.org).

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TODAY

WHAT? CTBA's Annual Fiscal Symposium

WHEN? Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 8:15 AM - 12:30 PM

WHERE? Union League Club of Chicago, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL

For more information and to download the registration form, click here.

WHAT? Making the Connection: Basic Training

WHEN? Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

This training is part of the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform workshop series, Making the Connection: Accessing Public Benefits for Low Income Persons. For more information, to learn about other workshops, and to register, click here.

WHAT? Men's Initiative Kickoff, Chicago Foundation for Women

WHEN? Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? Videoconference sites in Chicago, Carterville, Rockford, Springfield, Macomb and Urbana

Click here to view the invitation and to register.

WHAT? 2007 Chicago City Budget Forum

WHEN? Thursday, January 18, 2007, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

WHERE? Chicago Foundation for Women, 1 E. Wacker Dr., 20th floor
Three Chicago aldermen discuss the 2007 Chicago budget's impact on women and girls. Free. RSVP required. Click here for more information.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Thursday, January 18, 2007, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 30 E. 15th Street, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Monday, January 22, 2007, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 1200 Maple Road, Joliet, IL 60432

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Tuesday, January 23, 2007, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 1325 N. Highland Ave., Aurora, IL 60506

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Changing Demographics of Children in Chicago: A Public Policy Forum

WHEN? Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago

For more information, to see a list of panelists and to register for this event, click here.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

WHERE? 1701 Algonquin Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Thursday, January 25, 2007, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 2751 W. Winona Chicago, IL 60625

Click here for more information.

WHAT? The Chicago Early Education, Child Care, and School-Age Conference

WHEN? January 25-27, 2007

WHERE? Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

For more information and regularly updated workshop listings, click here or call 312.427.5399.

WHAT? Informational Session: Primary Care Case Management and Disease Management

WHEN? Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

WHERE? 3249 S. Oak Park Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Illinois Action for Children's Statewide Public Policy Caucus

WHEN? Tuesday, February 6, 2007

WHERE? President A. Lincoln Hotel in Springfield

For more information, click here to read the flyer or contact Nicole Bonilla at (773) 697-6132 or bonillan@actforchildren.org.

WHAT? Immigrants and Public Benefits Training

WHEN? Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Can a Piece of Paper Keep a Battered Person Safe? Lessons From Recent Research on Orders of Protection

WHEN? Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

WHERE? DePaul Center, Room 8005, One East Jackson Blvd., Chicago

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Domestic Violence and Public Benefits Training

WHEN? Wednesday, February 14, 2007, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Anti-Hunger Policy Conference

WHEN? February 25-27, 2007

WHERE? Washington Court Hotel, Capitol Hill, 525 New Jersey Ave, NW, Washington, D.C.

Click here for more information.

WHAT? National Association of Social Workers - IL Chapter Lobby Day

WHEN? Tuesday, February 27, 2007

WHERE? Prairie Capital Convention Center, Springfield, IL

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Making the Connection: Basic Training

WHEN? Wednesday, March 14, 2007, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Illinois Action for Children's Annual Conference and Lobby Day: Spring Into Action 2007

WHEN? Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28, 2007

WHERE? President A. Lincoln Hotel in Springfield

For more information, contact Nicole Bonilla at 773-697-6132 or bonillan@actforchildren.org

WHAT? Understanding the Public Benefits Appeal Process Training

WHEN? Wednesday, April 12, 2007, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Understanding Spenddown Training

WHEN? Wednesday, April 12, 2007, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Making the Connection: Basic Training

WHEN? Wednesday, May 17, 2007, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

For any questions on information contained in this Weekly Review,
or to JOIN OUR MAILING LIST, please contact Valerie Chepp at:
312.658.0225x203, wwf@workwelfareandfamilies.org