The Center for Tax and

Budget Accountability

www.ctbaonline.org
312.332.2151 (phone)
312.578.9258 (fax)
70 E. Lake St., Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601

February 20, 2007 WEEKLY REVIEW
Provided through the Generous Support of the McCormick Tribune Foundation

In this issue:

ILLINOIS WORKS FOR THE FUTURE

Legislative task force seeks to integrate economic and workforce development

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

Senate President Jones and Senator Collins make a stand for EITC reform

POVERTY IN ILLINOIS

Heartland Alliance releases two reports on Illinois poverty

GUEST AUTHOR: JAN KAY, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Forums provide voters an opportunity to speak with local candidates

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

Three Illinois advocacy groups asking for support

ILLINOIS INITIATIVES FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES

Check out CTBA's 2007 Legislative Roster to more...

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February 22, 2007: Women and Children Last: The Impact of Food Deserts (Chicago)
February 22, 2007: Keeping it Real Seminar (Chicago)
February 22, 2007: Your City, Your Voice: Understanding Chicago Elections (Chicago)
February 25-27, 2007: Anti-Hunger Policy Conference (Washington DC)
February 28, 2007: National Association of Social Workers - IL Chapter Lobby Day (Springfield)
March 1-May 17, 2007: Skills & Strategies for Working with Employers: Spring 2007 Course for Job Developers (Chicago)
March 3, 2007: Moving from Poverty to Opportunity: Madison County Action Forum (Madison County)
March 6-7, 2007: Preparing for Development: Community Housing Developers Institute
(Springfield)
March 6-7, 2007: Single-Family Development: Community Housing Developers Institute (Springfield)
March 9, 2007: Chicago Jobs Council Spring Member Meeting: Workforce Development Progress & Potential for Job Seekers with Criminal Records (Chicago)
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)
April 17-18, 2007: Housing Action Illinois' 2007 Annual Convention (workshops, celebration, and rally) (Springfield)
April 19, 2007: Early Childhood Lobby Day (Springfield)
April 28, 2007: Moving from Poverty to Opportunity: Champaign County Action Forum (Champaign County)
May 15-16, 2007: Financing Development: Community Housing Developers Institute (Springfield)
May 17, 2007: Making the Connection: Basic Training (Naperville)
June 5-6, 2007: Construction Management: Community Housing Developers Institute (Springfield)
September 11-12, 2007: Single-Family Development: Community Housing Developers Institute (Springfield)
October 16-17, 2007: Property and Asset Management: Community Housing Developers Institute (Springfield)
November 1-30, 2007: Affordable Housing Month (Springfield)

ILLINOIS WORKS FOR THE FUTURE

LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE SEEKS TO INTEGRATE ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

A Call to Sharpen State Competitiveness in a Global Market

Legislators identify vision and commitment needed

Springfield, IL (February 21) – In an effort to ensure that Illinois’ businesses and workers are prepared to compete in the 21st century economy, State Representatives David Miller (D-29th District) and Donald Moffitt (R-74th District) are introducing a resolution today that creates a bi-partisan task force of legislators, whose charge will be developing an agenda that will ensure long-term economic growth and statewide prosperity.

Despite having the fifth largest economy in the US, Illinois has lagged the nation and the Midwest region in economic growth over the last 15 years. With all the data showing the premium business places on training and skills, Illinois must invest in creating a skilled workforce and strong business environment to stay competitive.

The resolution charges the task force to develop legislation that promotes skill building and career advancement, infrastructure improvements and capital investments, job creation, and sustainable growth.

“We must respond to the reality of Illinois’ economy and use the state’s resources wisely to stimulate growth in communities that are struggling across the state,” said Representative Miller. “It’s time that Illinois does a better job of integrating workforce and economic development strategies in a way that maximizes the value of our investment of public funds while targeting communities that really need help.”

“We have to do better in connecting resources to businesses that want to stay and grow in Illinois,” agreed Representative Moffitt, frustrated by the pullout of Maytag Corporation from his Galesburg community despite millions of dollars in state-provided incentives. “We can create a vision and action plan that is good for business and good for our communities. This is a bi-partisan issue that both Democrats and Republicans can get behind.”

Illinois has experienced a decrease of almost twenty-five percent of its high-paying, good benefit manufacturing jobs as significant growth has occurred in the lower paying, low or no benefit, service sector. Recent analysis reveals that manufacturing will remain a primary employer and almost forty percent of new job growth in the coming decade will be in mid to high wage sectors. These developments will depend on whether the workforce will have the new skills and credentials required and whether businesses will have the right tools to compete.

“In Illinois, we’re seeing the unemployment rate going down, while the poverty rate is going up,” said Tom Balanoff, president of the Illinois Council of the Service Employees International Union. “This trend makes one economic dynamic very clear: jobs don’t cure poverty. Only good jobs cure poverty. This task force – and the Illinois Works for the Future campaign – are about making sure our state gets good jobs, and that our working women and men have the opportunity to receive the training to get those jobs.”

“All too often we’ve seen economic investment and incentives bypass neighborhoods where they are likely to do the greatest good,” said Cheryle Jackson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “The Chicago Urban League supports efforts to focus investment and training on segments of the workforce that need it the most. A competitive Illinois depends on tapping the creative potential in all of our neighborhoods.”

“The data show that we need to do a better job of equipping workers and businesses in Illinois to stay competitive in the 21st century economy,” remarked Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a think tank that, with Northern Illinois University, authored the State of Working Illinois, an annual report that analyzes Illinois worker and employment conditions.

“Illinois needs an integrated economic and workforce development policy that works for everyone – producing skilled workers in strong businesses, with good jobs, that foster thriving communities,” said Robert Wordlaw, executive director of the Chicago Jobs Council.

Creation of a legislative task force is the first step of the campaign, Illinois Works for the Future, which proposes to leverage state funds and policy changes to benefit underserved communities and strengthen Illinois’ economic competitiveness.

Illinois Works for the Future is a shared project of the Chicago Jobs Council, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. The Chicago Jobs Council is a non-profit organization that works to ensure employment and career advancement opportunities for people living in poverty. The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability is a non-partisan, non-profit research and advocacy think tank that promotes fair, efficient and progressive tax, spending and economic policies. The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law is a law and policy center that champions economic opportunity so that people can move out of poverty.

The press conference will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Blue Room of the Illinois Statehouse in Springfield. For more information, contact Valerie Chepp at 312-332-5121 or vchepp@ctbaonline.org. Click here to view this press release in PDF format.

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT

SENATE PRESIDENT JONES AND SENATOR COLLINS MAKE A STAND FOR EITC REFORM

The Make Work Pay coalition recently introduced legislation to both the House and Senate around Earned Income Tax Credit reform. One bill would eliminate technical language that hinders low income workers from receiving their full EITC, and the second bill tackles the amount of credit received. Illinois residents earn one of the smallest EITCs in the nation, and the Coalition wants to change that. While the Make Work Pay campaign is steadily growing as more organizations get behind the proposed legislation, it turns out there is a third EITC bill of merit on the agenda that also deserves advocates' attention.

Senate President Senate President Emil Jones, Jr along with Sen. Jackie Collins are sponsoring SB12. This legislation would double the size of our maximum, $220 Illinois EITC over the course of two years, raising the EITC level from 5% to 10% of the federal tax credit. SB12 is tentatively scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee at 1 p.m. this Thursday, February 22nd.

If you would like to learn more about EITC reform, or if your group would like to endorse these measures by joining the Make Work Pay campaign, please contact Sean Noble, Voices for Illinois Children, at snoble@voices4kids.org or (312) 456-0088.

poverty IN ILLINOIS

HEARTLAND ALLIANCE RELEASES TWO REPORTS ON ILLINOIS POVERTY

On February 15th, The Mid-American Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance released the 2007 Report on Illinois Poverty, which profiles poverty as it is experienced by families in Illinois.

Over 85% of Illinois’ 102 counties experienced an increase in poverty. Nearly 1.5 million Illinoisans are poor – almost 700,000 of them live in extreme poverty, defined as those living below half the poverty line – and over one third of Illinoisans in poverty are children.

The report offers county-by-county data using indicators such as "Well-Being" -- including education, teen pregnancy and unemployment-- as well as "Income and Poverty," "Housing," and "Health and Education."

A new section of the report, "Spotlight — Income Supports: Ensuring Basic Necessities for Low-Wage Workers and their Families" focuses on low-wage work and suggests that strong public policies can help Illinois families make ends meet and states that current support programs are being compromised by inadequate benefit levels, as well as capacity and access issues. The Earned Income Tax Credit program is mentioned as an example. For the first time, the report offers policy recommendations that state leaders can implement in order to begin addressing poverty and economic insecurity in Illinois.

A second report from the Mid-American Poverty Institute, Extreme Poverty & Human Rights: A Primer, was also released this month. This report offers a strong foundation for the From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign: Realizing Human Rights in Illinois. Written by Nell McNamara and Doug Schenkelberg, the Primer takes the reader from a local to global perspective on poverty as a human right, and brings us back to ourselves as it asks us to make the commitment to eradicate poverty-- not only across the world but also within our communities.

The Primer makes a series of important statements on poverty, introducing little known facts. For instance, while the United States has signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it has yet to ratify various amending Covenants. These include:

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Why has the United States not ratified these conventions to protect women and children, and failed to pass national anti-poverty legislation of its own creation?

Click here to read this provocative and informative paper in its entirety.

GUEST AUTHOR: JAN KAY, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

FORUMS PROVIDE VOTERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH LOCAL CANDIDATES

Once again the public will be going to the polls to elect the women and men who put in place resolutions and laws that govern the States and Country as well as local communities.

Who are those candidates and what are their ideologies and notions regarding issues important to us and to those whom we serve? How open are they to dialogue and how approachable are they when advocates and constituents seek to converse with them over ideas in the public interest?

What are their fiscal policy leanings and how do candidates approach social policies generally? Are they willing to stand up to others with whom they may disagree? What is their track record, whether that be in a publicly elected position or in the private sector?

For all these questions and more, the League of Women Voters regularly holds Candidate Forums prior to the elections, both primaries and general elections. This is the time to listen and ask your questions of the candidates. The forums are always issue oriented and fair in the format, with practices that have proven to give an informative presentation by each candidate. They are always non-partisan.

Everyone is encouraged to seek out a forum prior to any election. Questions asked by advocates, most often via written cards, not only solicit responses, but also raise important issues to audiences who may not be aware of that issue.

Not only should advocates attend, but also their program participants as well. We need an informed electorate and informed candidates!

For more information on Candidate Forums in your community, visit the League of Women Voters' website.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

THREE ILLINOIS ADVOCACY GROUPS ASKING FOR SUPPORT

Did you know that of the 24,968 unaccompanied homeless youth in Illinois in 2004, only 950 accessed state-funded services?

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) is leading a campaign to ask Governor Blagojevich to allocate $2 million in the FY2008 budget for Transitional Job pilot programs for homeless youth across Illinois. The Governor's budget address is scheduled for March 7th, and CCH is looking for supporters to join their letter-writing campaign to Governor Blagojevich and visit state legislators to discuss the homeless youth advocacy platform.

Basic facts: According to a University of Illinois at Chicago study, nearly 40% of homeless youth who stated that they needed help finding employment did not receive assistance. Employment assistance stands as the greatest unmet need for many homeless youth. Federally-funded reports have found that homeless youth program participants doubled their rate of school participation and experienced a 24% higher rate of employment after accessing services.
Proposed solution: Transitional Job programs will address the serious barriers to well-being faced by homeless youth, including interrupted education, lack of work experience, mental health conditions, substance abuse, as well as issues related to race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.

CCH is asking for endorsements on the Transitional Job initiative. Advocates who would like to show organizational support or help with CCH's letter writing campaign can contact Daria Mueller, Policy Specialist, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, daria@chicagohomeless.org or (312) 435-4548 x234.

Did you know over 1.8 million Illinoisians are without insurance? That means nearly two million individuals are only one medical emergency away from crisis.

The Campaign for Better Health Care (CBHC) is asking all advocates to show their support for the Health Care Justice Campaign, a proposal to bring UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE to Illinois. CBHC wants your help flooding Springfield with thousands of postcards to let legislators know where you stand on the issue of universal health care in Illinois. Click here to print the postcard and pledge your support.

What you can do:

Collect signed postcards from your group, club, neighborhood or organization and send them to the Campaign for Better Health Care, or mail them directly to Governor Blagojevich, House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Jones while they are prioritizing bills for this year.
Attend the "Sound the Alarm" Faith Caucus in Springfield, March 6th, for an interfaith prayer service before postcards are delivered directly to Illinois' legislative leaders.

For more information or to order postcards, contact Megan Meagher at mmeagher@cbhconline.org or (312) 913-9449. To learn more about other "Sound the Alarm" events planned for March, contact Jessica Palys at jpalys@cbhconline.org.

Did you know that the typical renter in Illinois earns $13.24, which is $2.71 less than the wage needed to afford a modest unit without paying over 30% of their income on housing?

Advocates for affordable housing are seeking supporters for the TIF Housing Innovations Programming Act. The Tax Increment Financing Housing Innovations Program Act (TIF HIP) will soon be logged in as a house bill in Springfield with Rep. Julie Hamos as a primary sponsor. If passed, this legislation would alter how TIF fund dollars might be allocated by expanding the list of eligible uses in the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act. This legislation would make possible grants for subsidies and purchase assistance, placing decent, affordable housing in reach for a number of low income families in Chicago.
Click here to review a fact sheet on the TIF HIP act here.

The Illinois Housing Roundtable is working to gather a comprehensive list of supporters for the bill. If your organization would like to sign on, please contact Mike Rohrbeck, Maverick Advocates & Professionals, at mike@policymaps.org or (312) 217-4211.

If you would like to get involved with the progress of the TIF HIP Act, a meeting of potential supporters is scheduled for Friday, March 2nd, 10 a.m. at Park National Bank, 801 N. Clark St., 2nd Floor Board Room in Chicago. Free parking is available.

ILLINOIS INITIATIVES FOR LOW AND MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES

CHECK OUT CTBA'S 2007 LEGISLATIVE ROSTER TO LEARN MORE...

The Legislative Roster is an annual list of legislative initiatives that benefit low and moderate income families. It is an opportunity for our partners to share information about the legislation they author or endorse. The roster includes key information including a brief synopsis of legislation, lead sponsors and contact organizations. Throughout the year, we provide regular updates on the legislation and opportunities for advocacy.

Click here to see CTBA's 2007 Legislative Roster.

Please share with us the legislative initiatives that your organization will be working on this year. Contact Valerie Chepp at vchepp@ctbaonline.org or 312-332-2151.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TODAY

WHAT? Women and Children Last: The Impact of Food Deserts

WHEN? Thursday, February 22, 2007, 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM

WHERE? Chicago Urban League, 4510 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago

Click here for more information.

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? Your City, Your Voice: Understanding Chicago Elections

WHEN? Thursday, February 22, 2007, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

WHERE? Erie Neighborhood House, 1347 West Erie Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622

For more information, click here to view a flyer.

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? Skills & Strategies for Working with Employers: Spring 2007 Course for Job Developers

WHEN? March 1 - May 17, 2007

WHERE? Chicago Jobs Council, 29 East Madison, Suite 1700, Chicago

Click here for more information.

WHAT? Preparing for Development: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? March 6-7, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Single-Family Development: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? March 6-7, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Moving From Poverty to Opportunity: Madison County Action Forum

WHEN? Saturday, March 3, 2007, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

WHERE? St. Mary & St. Mark Catholic Church, Engelbert Hall, 1621 10th St., Madison

For more information, contact Doug Schenkelberg, Associate Director of Policy Mid-America Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, at 773.728.5960 x6284. Click here to see the flyer.

WHAT? Chicago Jobs Council Spring Member Meeting: Workforce Development Progress & Potential for Job Seekers with Criminal Records

WHEN? Friday, March 9, 2007, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

WHERE? University Center, Loop/River Room, 525 S. State Street, Chicago

For more information, click here to view the flyer.

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

WHAT? Understanding Spenddown Training

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

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Housing Action Illinois' 2007 Annual Convention (workshops, celebration, and rally)

WHEN? April 17-18, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL

Click here to register and view the flyer. Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

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? Moving From Poverty to Opportunity: Madison County Action Forum

WHEN? Saturday, April 28, 2007, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

WHERE? Location to be determined

For more information, contact Doug Schenkelberg, Associate Director of Policy Mid-America Institute on Poverty of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights, at 773.728.5960 x6284.

WHAT? Financing Development: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? May 15-16, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Making the Connection: Basic Training

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

WHERE? 1120 E. Diehl Road, Naperville

WHAT? Construction Management: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? June 5-6, 2007

WHERE? Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center/President Abraham Lincoln Museum, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Single-Family Development: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? September 11-12, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Property and Asset Management: Community Housing Developers Institute

WHEN? October 16-17, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

WHAT? Affordable Housing Month

WHEN? November 1-30, 2007

WHERE? ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
Contact: nate@housingactionil.org or 312-939-6074 x 201 More info: www.housingactionil.org.

For any questions on information contained in this Weekly Review,
or to JOIN OUR MAILING LIST, please contact Valerie Chepp at:
312.332.2151, vchepp@ctbaonline.org