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Work, Welfare & Families
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January 30,
2007
WEEKLY REVIEW |
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In this
issue:
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Work, Welfare and Families has merged with the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. Click here to read on...
COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM Come learn about current initiatives and opportunities in Illinois
IN THE NEWS... Chicago Tribune spotlights the need for school funding reform in Illinois
AFFORDABLE HOUSING Two proposed initiatives would increase funding opportunities
FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE BILL Bill lingers in the Senate; opportunity to take action
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Forum discusses homeless youth and employment program models
RESOURCE: ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE Free legal information on the internet
FREE OFFICE FURNITURE Contact us for more information
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM |
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COME LEARN ABOUT CURRENT INITIATIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN ILLINOIS
COALITION FOR A FAIR BUDGET (CFB)
More than five years ago a large statewide coalition of human service, health and education providers, advocates and community leaders came together to stop a budget-slashing train wreck. Forming the Coalition for a Fair Budget, CFB laid out a case AGAINST cutting health and human service funding, shortchanging education and pitting vital services against one another. That case was FOR looking at revenue alternatives and comprehensive fiscal reform of the way Illinois generates revenue and meets its funding obligations.
Since then, that case has been made again and again by an array of partners in education, human services, labor and health care.
AND THE TIDE IS TURNING!!!
SO WHERE ARE THINGS TODAY?
What is the status of the 750 plan for a comprehensive solution to the state’s fiscal crisis?
What about the expenditure side, especially human services, education and health care?
What is the plan for the 2007 legislative session?
What does it mean for you and your organization?
CFB BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION
Friday, February 16 - 10:00 a.m. to noon Metropolitan Family Services, 1 N. Dearborn, 10th Fl., Chicago If you have questions or to RSVP, contact Phyllis Russell (prussell@ctbaonline.org). After February 2, call 312-332-8508. Click here to view a flyer.
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IN THE NEWS... |
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE SPOTLIGHTS THE NEED FOR SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM IN ILLINOIS There are plenty of reasons for Effingham taxpayers to care about Hinsdale school children, for Hinsdale taxpayers to care about Harvey school children, for Harvey taxpayers to care about Effingham students. We've just never acknowledged as a state that the future economic health, workforce and leadership of Illinois depend on better educating all of our children. And yes, all children can learn. --Chicago Tribune, Editorial, January 28, 2007 This past Sunday, the Chicago Tribune launched "From Here to Excellence," a nine-part series of editorials that call attention to Illinois' inadequate school funding formula. The Tribune argues that Illinois' over-reliance on property taxes as a revenue source to fund public education (1) does not generate enough revenue to cover costs; (2) places too much pressure on homeowners and businesses who are increasingly faced with rising property taxes in order to foot Illinois' school funding bill, and; (3) results in an inherently inequitable funding system, leaving wealthier communities with more money to spend on education while lower income communities, which have lower local property tax bases, are left with less money to invest in their local public schools.
Other major points made by the Tribune's editorial page include:
Read the first editorial of the Tribune series: "Smarter Schools for Illinois." Be sure to tune in to the Tribune to catch the remaining editorials in this series, with the next installment due to run this Wednesday, January 31, 2007.
In 2005, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) drafted legislation that would implement comprehensive reform of the Illinois tax system, with one of the results being that Illinois public schools would not have to rely so heavily on local property taxes as a revenue source. The legislation did not pass out of the General Assembly, but CTBA will be re-introducing the bill during this legislative session, in partnership with a diverse coalition of education advocates, health and human service providers, labor unions, business leaders and many more.
Stay tuned to the Weekly Review for updates and opportunities to take action around comprehensive fiscal reform. Additionally, CTBA will be holding an informational meeting on the current status of comprehensive fiscal reform legislation - come and learn more about this important issue and how you can get involved.
WHAT: Coalition for A Fair Budget meeting WHEN: Friday, February 16, 2007, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM WHERE: Metropolitan Family Services, One North Dearborn, 10th Floor, Chicago
For more information, see the
article in this issue of the Weekly Review or contact Phyllis Russell,
prussell@ctbaonline.org
or
call 312-332-8508 (after Feb. 2). |
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
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TWO PROPOSED INITIATIVES WOULD INCREASE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Two bills are being introduced this session that would create more available dollars for affordable housing. Read on to learn more...
Reforming the State Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT)
For more information, click here to see a fact sheet on the proposed RETT reform bill.
Amending the State TIF Act - House Bill 0102
For more information, contact Michael Rohrbeck, Maverick Advocates and Professionals (MAPS) at 312-217-4211.
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FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE BILL |
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BILL LINGERS IN THE SENATE; OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ACTION As we reported in the most recent edition of the Weekly Review, last week marked the beginning of Senate debate on whether to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time in 10 years. So far, the Senate has added a number of amendments to the bill, including an $8.3 billion business tax cut package. While many minimum wage advocates prefer a "clean" bill (that is, one not weighted down with amendments), workers need this raise, and there is a chance the tax breaks will be stripped away in negotiations with the House. However, advocates are making one thing is clear - no more amendments should be approved in the remaining 30 hours of debate. While details about possible amendments aren't certain, some that have been talked about would lower the minimum wage for farm workers, or end the current assurance of higher overtime pay after a 40-hour week.
If you would like to ask your
Senators to prevent harmful amendments to the minimum wage bill and push the
bill to final passage, call your Senators TOLL-FREE at 1-800-459-1887. You
can tell them to vote to end debate on the minimum wage bill, and to
increase the minimum wage, without further delaying tactics or amendments. |
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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT |
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FORUM DISCUSSES HOMELESS YOUTH AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MODELS On Monday, January 29th, the Youth Committee of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) presented a forum entitled “Creating a Path for Success: A Forum on Successful Employment Program Models for Homeless Youth.” The forum panel featured a number of leaders in transitional jobs programs and youth case management services. Speakers shared two main points. First, the needs of homeless youth are not easily met, as compared to those of the adult homeless population. In order to be successful in service provision, it is important to include homeless youth themselves—either in program design or through adaptability and flexibility in programming. Second, multi-service sites offer the kind of reliable support needed by youth to develop the skills and assets for their success. Services highlighted were transitional housing, transitional jobs and GED/Diploma preparation. Joining the discussion was Rep. Will Davis (D-34), who emphasized the importance of comprehensive tax reform as a means of generating adequate funds for human services, workforce development, education initiatives, and other services. Speakers on the panel in addition to Rep. Davis included:
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RESOURCE: ILLINOIS LEGAL AID ONLINE |
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FREE LEGAL INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET Illinois Legal Aid Online is a groundbreaking statewide technology center for legal services designed to help Illinois residents solve their legal problems. Through this statewide technology infrastructure, Illinois Legal Aid Online helps streamline the delivery of free and pro bono legal services to the poor, and provides easy to understand legal information and pro se assistance to the public. Visit Legal Aid Online's website, which provides users with search-specific free legal information. All you need to do is type in your legal problem and zip code and the website will link you to a wealth of useful legal information, including related articles, local Legal Aid offices and helpful legal aid organizations. Click here to visit Illinois Legal Aid Online.
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FREE OFFICE FURNITURE |
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CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION We are giving away some of our office items -- everything is free -- all you need to do is pick up your item from 166 W. Washington, #700 sometime between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28. If you are interested in any of the items listed below or would like more information about the furniture that is available, contact Valerie Chepp at 312-658-0225 ext. 203 or vchepp@ctbaonline.org.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TODAY |
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 Works for the Future Press Conference WHEN? Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 11:00 AM WHERE? Blue Room, State Capitol Building, Springfield For more information, contact Valerie Chepp at vchepp@ctbaonline.org or 312-658-0225 x203
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
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? 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
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? Keeping it Real Seminar WHEN? Thursday, February 22, 2007, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM WHERE? Grace Place, 637 S. Dearborn
This seminar will highlight
innovative programs designed to help integrate individuals with criminal
records into the fabric of communities, through employment, training, and
entrepreneurship programs. RSVP at 312-427-8070 by February 15th.
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? Wednesday, February 28, 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
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? 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
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? Understanding Spenddown Training WHEN? Wednesday, April 12, 2007, 1:00 PM - 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? Early Childhood Lobby Day WHEN? Thursday, April 19, 2007, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM WHERE? Springfield
Join the Ounce of Prevention
Fund and Healthy Families Illinois for an Early Childhood Lobby Day.
Background materials, training, a box lunch, and transportation from Chicago
to Springfield will be provided. For more information, contact
Rashanda Perryman at
312-922-3863 ext. 3353. WHAT? Making the Connection: Basic Training WHEN? Wednesday, May 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.
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For
any questions on information contained in this Weekly Review, |
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