The Center for Tax and
Budget Accountability
www.ctbaonline.org
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70 E. Lake St.,
Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60601
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The Center for Tax andBudget Accountability
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www.ctbaonline.org |
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March 20,
2007
WEEKLY REVIEW |
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In this
issue:
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RESPONSIVE WORKPLACES: TWO PERSPECTIVES Two pieces discuss the merits of improving work conditions
ANNIVERSARY MARCH AND RALLY Thousands of Illinoisans to march peacefully against the occupation of Iraq
MINIMUM WAGE UPDATE Minimum wage debate stalled by House supplemental spending bill
REPORT: POPULATION SHIFTS Data show that Hispanics have driven population growth in six-county region
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION Education, affordable housing, public open space, disability services CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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RESPONSIVE WORKPLACES: TWO PERSPECTIVES |
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“In the U.S. labor market, it is not possible for everyone to be middle class, no matter how hard they work.” |
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WHY BETTER JOBS ARE ESSENTIAL
Report: 44 Million Jobs (1 in 3) Pay Low Wages The Mobility Agenda releases the first in a series of reports
Article: A Business Case
for Work/Life Balance |
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ANNIVERSARY MARCH AND RALLY |
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RALLY GIVES OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION
Today, Tuesday, March 20th, protests are being held across the nation to commemorate the 4th Anniversary of the War and Occupation of Iraq and other outposts in the Middle East.
A division exists between
Federal and State politics, but the fact of the matter is, Illinois’
residents have contributed their fair share—$20 billion—to pay for the war.
Many
legislators and concerned citizens believe
that these funds could have been well spent on quality healthcare,
affordable housing, improved education, mass transit, and etcetera. |
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Minimum Wage Update |
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MINIMUM WAGE BILL STALLED IN
HOUSE AND SENATE |
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REPORT: POPULATION SHIFTS |
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DATA SHOW THAT HISPANICS HAVE DRIVEN POPULATION GROWTH IN SIX-COUNTY REGION
New research from the Metro Chicago Information Center (MCIC) shows that while population in the Chicago region continues an upward trend, most of the growth is slowing and moving further out into the collar counties. MCIC's analysis uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau's recently released American Community Survey and looks at population numbers for the six-county metropolitan Chicago region, which consists of Will, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage and Cook Counties.
Specifically, MCIC's analysis finds that:
If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Chicago region, you can search Metro Chicago Facts OnLine, a user-friendly, online data and information resource that aggregates U.S. Census and a variety of other useful datasets and index models into standard or custom defined geographic areas in the 6-county metropolitan Chicago region. Define your area of interest and instantly download customized maps and data tables.
You can also call the MCIC Help Desk and work with an analyst who will help you to answer your questions and deliver the information you need in a format you can use. Call 312.580.2596 during regular business hours or e-mail info@mcic.org.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION |
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EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Below are specific and timely opportunities to take action around state and federal legislation. Track what's going on more generally in the Illinois legislature by checking out CTBA's 2007 Legislative Roster.
Good Housing Good Schools (SB 220) Moves to the Floor for a Vote
The Senate Housing and Community
Affairs Committee voted unanimously to bring the “Good Housing Good Schools”
bill to the Senate Floor. SB 220 would provide a financial incentive
to the school districts in towns supporting the rehab or development of the
state's Live-Near-Work and housing preservation goals. For a building with
45 affordable two and three-bedroom condos or apartments, for example, the
school district would receive over $60,000 -- enough for an extra teacher.
The Metropolitan Planning
Council is asking advocates to call or
send a letter to your Senator, urging them to vote "yes" for Good
Housing Good Schools (SB 220), a modest bill with potentially major impact.
The bill is likely to be voted upon by the Senate any day. The TIF Housing Innovations Programming Act adds a paragraph to existing law expanding eligible uses of TIF dollars to include rental subsidies, purchase price assistance and related technical assistance to organizations benefiting low-income families/households. HB 1682 is currently in the House Revenue Committee. If you would like to support this bill, call committee members and your House Representative and ask them to support HB 1682.
The pitch is simple: Support HB 1682 because:
For more information, click here.
Open Doors, Open Lands Campaign Seeks Support The Open Doors, Open Lands Campaign’s SB445, a bill to reform the Real Estate Transfer Tax, is likely to be voted on in the Senate next week. Campaign members are asking supporters to call state senators in Springfield and ask him or her to vote in favor of SB445. A reformed Real Estate Transfer Tax as proposed in SB445 would:
In order to find your representative, visit www.ilga.gov. For more information, contact Sherry at sherry@chicagohomeless.org. Voice Your Support for Individuals with Disabilities HB2041, which would provide funding for new enrollment into service program of over 3,000 adults and children with disabilities in Illinois is in need of co-sponsors.
This bill includes provisions to:
If you would like to show support for this initiative, please contact your State Representative and let them know you would like her or him to become a co-sponsor of HB2041.
According to advocates, passage of this bill would enable a child or family to receive respite services, gain access work or day activities after leaving school, move into a CILA group home, and receive supports while still under family/home care. Please be sure to mention your interest or personal need when you contact your representative.
For more information, contact Dorelia at doreliarmtz@sbcglobal.net or Michele at michele@familysupportnetwork.org.
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UPCOMING EVENTS |
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CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE TODAY |
WHAT? Meeting the Employment and Parenting Needs of Low-Income Families WHEN? Tuesday, March 27, 2007, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern Time WHERE? Online Click here for more information.
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? Building Successful Mixed-Income Communities: Planning, Design and Architecture WHEN? Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM WHERE? Walnut Room of the Hotel Allegro, 171 West Randolph, Chicago For more information, click here.
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? 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? What Works for Today's Families? And What Doesn't?: A Decade of Research, Practice, and Dialogue WHEN? May 4-5, 2007 WHERE? University of Chicago, International House, 1414 East 59th Street, Chicago For more information, click here.
WHAT? Financing Development: Community Housing Developers Institute WHEN? May 15-16, 2007 WHERE?
ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
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.
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
WHAT? Single-Family Development: Community Housing Developers Institute WHEN? September 11-12, 2007 WHERE?
ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
WHAT? Property and Asset Management: Community Housing Developers Institute WHEN? October 16-17, 2007 WHERE?
ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
WHAT? Affordable Housing Month WHEN? November 1-30, 2007 WHERE?
ICAA Training Facility, 3435 Liberty Drive, Springfield, IL
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For
any questions on information contained in this Weekly Review, |
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