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 8, 2007                                                          WEEKLY REVIEW - Special Edition
  Provided through the Generous Support of the McCormick Tribune Foundation                                                          

 

In this issue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                                             

     

                                                                                                                           

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability is pleased to bring you this Special Edition of the Weekly Review.  As the Illinois legislative session gets underway, the Review will keep you informed on the many activities and initiatives taking place in Springfield and throughout the state.  Tune in every Tuesday for timely information about policies that affect low and moderate income families, including state and federal legislative updates, advocacy opportunities, recent reports and analyses, special events, and much, much more. 

 

If you are interested in posting information in the Weekly Review, please contact Valerie Chepp at

312-332-2151 or vchepp@ctbaonline.org. 

 

 

BREAKING NEWS...

COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM BILL INTRODUCED TODAY!

Senate Bill 750 provides additional revenue to fix Illinois' structural deficit

 

COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM

Come learn about current initiatives and opportunities in Illinois

 

COOK COUNTY BUDGET

CTBA responds to proposed budget cuts

 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Three bills for working families introduced this week

 

FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE BILL

Bill passes out of the Senate

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

CTBA staff contact information

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

  • February 10, 2007: Moving From Poverty to Opportunity (Carlinville)

  • 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 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 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 19, 2007: Early Childhood Lobby Day (Springfield)

  • May 17, 2007: Making the Connection: Basic Training (Naperville)

 

COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM BILL INTRODUCED TODAY!

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE BILL 750 PROVIDES ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO FIX ILLINOIS' STRUCTURAL DEFICIT

REV. SENATOR MEEKS INTRODUCES LANDMARK LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS ILLINOIS’ UNDERFUNDED SCHOOLS AND STATE PENSIONS

SB 750- Education and Fiscal Responsibility Act Provides Additional Revenue to fix state’s structural deficit and includes critical accountable measures while providing more funds for Illinois Schools
 

Springfield, IL (Thursday, February 8, 2007) – In an effort to address the state of Illinois’ historic education inequities, pension under-funding and revenue shortfalls, Reverend Senator James Meeks (D-15) today held a press conference to announce he is reintroducing a revised version of his comprehensive school funding and fiscal reform legislation, Senate Bill 750. Senator Meeks was joined at the press conference by a bi-partisan group of legislators, as well as advocacy and reform organizations, including A+ Illinois, Illinois Federation of Teachers, Illinois Education Association, AFSCME, Metropolitan Planning Council, Voices for Illinois Children, the Illinois Coalition of Urban League Affiliates comprised of the Chicago Urban League, Quad County Urban League, Champaign Urban League, Peoria Urban League, Alton Urban League, Springfield Urban League and the Greater St. Louis Urban League, and the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.

“With Illinois ranking 49th among the 50 states when it comes to providing its share of school funding, it’s time for us to redirect our priorities and recognize that the only way to close the student achievement gap and alleviate property tax burdens is to enact legislation that calls for sustainable education funding reform,” said Rev. Senator Meeks. “That legislation is SB 750. As sponsor of this bill, I will continue to fight for those who cannot fend for themselves, which is our children. SB 750 will ensure that all schools operate at adequate funding levels and provide the children of Illinois - regardless of income, race, zip code and special needs the opportunity to receive a quality education.”

“Finally there is a commonsense proposal on the table that fundamentally changes how the state brings in revenue to fund public services,” says Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. “The revenue generating solutions proposed in SB 750 are not only feasible and accountable, but they are also good economic policy. If Illinois is to successfully compete in the modern economy, the state must reform the way it generates revenue so that it responds adequately to economic growth.”

Effectively, SB 750 would:

  • Generate $9.5 billion a year in new revenue;

  • Provide more than $2.1 million to schools on an annual basis;

  • Provide more than $3 billion toward our pension system (and pay off our pension debt);

  • Provide more than $2 billion for property tax relief.

“We are excited to support the concepts in this bill, as they bring us closer to our shared goal of providing a quality education to every child in Illinois,” said Mary Ellen Guest, A+ Illinois campaign manager. “We look forward to working with lawmakers to make 2007 the year we finally get things right for Illinois schools and families.”

“Urban Leagues from all around the state are springing into action and uniting to fight for better funding of our schools and support SB 750. Year after year, we watch the inaction in Springfield and year after year, the illiteracy rates, drop-out rates, the incarceration rates of African American and Hispanic youth skyrocket. There is no more important fight—fighting for the future of our children,” said the Illinois Coalition of Urban League Affiliates.

"Chicago Urban League supports education finance reform,” said Cheryle Jackson, president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League. “Greater funding for our schools is the foundation for a vital workforce, and a vital workforce helps build the economic development we so sorely need."

The comprehensive approach taken in SB 750 is needed if the state is serious about reforming education funding. “The bottom line is simple,” Martire said. “If the state can’t even afford to pay its current bills or fund its pension commitments to workers, it sure as heck can’t enhance education funding by the $2 billion plus needed to reach an adequate level. No one likes a tax increase, but SB 750 is a reform, not just an increase. It is accountable, sustainable, keeps Illinois a low tax state and moves our revenue system into the current economy.”

Reverend Senator Meeks added that he is “excited about working with Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones in passing this comprehensive legislation despite threats of a gubernatorial veto.”

The press conference will be held today, Thursday, February 08, 2007 at 12:00pm in the Blue Room of the State Capital. For more information, contact Valerie Chepp at vchepp@ctbaonline.org or

312-332-2151.

 

Click here to view this press release in a PDF format.

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE FISCAL REFORM  

 

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!!!

 

  • Legislative leaders from both Chambers and both parties are talking about the need for new revenue. So is business.

 

  • The structural deficit is being discussed across the state.

 

  • Crises in school funding, pensions, Medicaid, human services and infrastructure can no longer be ignored.

 

  • New programs including Preschool for All and universal health insurance require funding.

 

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.

 

COOK COUNTY BUDGET

 

 

 

CTBA RESPONDS TO PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS

 

The Cook County 2007 budget was released on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 (click here to view the budget online).  In the budget, Cook County President Todd Stroger calls for 17% across-the-board cuts.  If implemented, these cuts would severely compromise the health and human services on which many Cook County residents rely.  The deadline for budget approval is Wednesday, February 28th. 

 

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability has developed four position points that respond to the proposed cuts in the Cook County budget.  CTBA maintains that:

 

1.  Some of the proposed across-the-board cuts are not responsible.

 

2. Additional revenue sources are available but untapped.  The county should tap into these revenue sources.

 

3. Once all additional available revenue sources are tapped out, a systematic assessment process should take place in order to determine whether there should be revenue increases or budget cuts.

 

4. Should the assessment process determined that budget cuts are necessary, cuts that affect services should be the last type of cuts to be made; that is, the county should do everything possible to avoid cuts in critical services.

 

For more information about the 2007 Cook County, contact Heather O'Donnell at 312-332-1348 or hodonnell@ctbaonline.org. 
 

Legislative Updates

 

 

 

 

 

THREE BILLS FOR WORKING FAMILIES INTRODUCED THIS WEEK

 

Introduction of the Family Leave Insurance Program Bill

Rep. Hamos, with the support of Illinois Paid Leave Coalition, announced today the introduction of the Family Leave Insurance Program (FLIP) bill. This first-of-its-kind bill would provide limited income support for up to 4 weeks for an employee to take care of a newborn child, for his/her own serious illness, or for the serious illness of a family member. Similar paid leave initiatives are being proposed in California, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The current federal Family and Medical Leave Act, which celebrated its 14th anniversary just this week, is considered limited in scope as millions cannot afford to take an unpaid leave when they need it the most. The FLIP program would be funded by a payroll deduction of 75 cents per week for each employee, matched by 75 cents per week by the employer. This payment would provide paid family leave--capped at about $1,500 per month--allowing many workers to support their families without shirking work responsibilities. Supporters of this bill suggest it benefits both employers and employees, as it would result in higher retention rates and lower costs in turnover and retraining. If passed, FLIP would encourage decreased government dependency by enabling workers to maintain jobs while meeting home obligations, improve care for the aging "baby boomer" generation, and ensure a higher health standard for our nation's youngest generation. According to the Center for American Progress, "the most competitive economies in the world provide meaningful family leave policies....Studies show that stronger family leave policies lower long-term poverty, and improve population health and education."

For more information on the Illinois paid leave initiative, contact Melissa Josephs at Women Employed, (312) 782-3902 x 234, or mjosephs@womenemployed.org. Rep Julie Hamos can be reached at (217) 782-8052 or julie@juliehamos.org.

 

 

Coalition Seeks to Reform Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit Program


Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is the only tax benefit that expressly encourages and rewards work and last year, nearly 765,000 low-income families statewide benefited from this program. The Make Work Pay campaign, a growing coalition of Illinois organizations that support working families, is pushing two bills to increase the value of EITC for struggling families.

HB 556: Many low-income working families are not given their full amount of EITCs. This includes foster parents, parents of children permanently and totally disable, parents of children under age 24 who are full time students during any five months of the year, parents of children turning 18 in a taxable year, and childless adults. This bill aims to remove statutory language that inhibits states from giving families the entire amount of EITC funding for which they qualify. Misinterpretation of four-year-old language regarding federal TANF block grant and Maintenance of Effort obligation has led to the withholding of state EITC refunds from several groups of tax filers.

HB 557: This bill would increase the amount of earned income tax credit from 5% of the federal tax credit to 1) 10% of the federal tax credit for teach taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2007, 2) 15% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2009 3) 20% of the federal tax credit for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2001. To see a fact sheet on HB557, please click here.

 

Click to endorse the Make Work Pay Coalition. For more information, contact Sean Noble (312-516-5566, snoble@voices4kids.org) or Maneesha Date (312-516-5568, mdate@voices4kids.org) at Voices for Illinois Children.

 

FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE BILL

 

 

 

 

 

BILL PASSES OUT OF THE SENATE

Minimum Wage Update: Bill Moves to House-Senate Conference Committee

After two weeks of debate, the Senate voted 94-3 to raise the minimum wage. While a clean bill failed to garner the necessary votes to pass, Thursday's substitute bill includes the original $7.25 increase of the minimum wage by 2009, along with a series of amendments amounting to $8.3 billion in tax relief for small businesses, restaurants and retail properties. Another seemingly unrelated measure attached to the wage bill prohibits companies caught hiring illegal immigrants from receiving federal contracts for up to 10 years. The intents and purposes of these amendments are being debated widely, not so much for their merit, but for their purpose in relation to what experts say is the lowest federal minimum wage in 51 years.

A House-Senate conference committee will resolve the continuing dispute over whether or not the final bill will be "clean." It is unclear what position the committee will take on the proposed tax cuts and immigrant hiring penalty. The bill is in limbo until the House and Senate come to an agreement and the President signs it into law.

Advocates are applauding the efforts of Senators and organizations that helped to get this bill to the floor. After ten years without an adjustment in the minimum wage, workers may be headed for a raise.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

CTBA CONTACT INFORMATION

 

 

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and

Work, Welfare and Families have merged. 

Click here to read more about this exciting move.

 

 

Below is the contact information for all CTBA staff. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TODAY

 

WHAT? Moving From Poverty to Opportunity

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

WHERE? Demuzio Center at Blackburn College, 700 College Avenue, Carlinville

 

Action Forum for Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties. 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? 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? 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? 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.

 

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