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Protect Kids by Supporting a Responsible Budget

The national recession is taking a toll on families everywhere.  But it’s particularly harsh in Illinois, where a chronically weak state revenue system for years has failed to provide adequate support for critical public services.

Things have grown steadily worse for kids and families in need.  Priorities such as education, health care, human services and public safety already have suffered from harmful budget cuts and long delays in state payments – and now, those troubles could deepen further. 

While lawmakers approved most of the core components of a budget for the state fiscal year that began on July 1, they again abdicated to the Governor their responsibility for further designating programs’ specific funding levels.  Recently, the Governor signed the budget legislation and announced how he’ll use his allocation of funding across agencies. However, many programs’ funding amounts are yet to be determined.  One thing is clear: The FY 2011 budget does not reflect the balanced, revenue-reform approach that’s necessary for a meaningful, comprehensive solution to our fiscal crisis. 

The new budget relies heavily on one-time sources of funding and lacks recurring revenues that are raised fairly and are adequate to support the needs of kids, families and communities.  That means further cuts and payment delays for vital services are inevitable – and our need to advocate for a responsible budget solution remains. 

Click here for more information on the Governor’s FY 2011 allocations and their impact.

** NEW: Featured in The Daily Herald, Voices President Kathy Ryg explains why there is a citical need for "adequate solutions" and a "balanced approach" to help alleviate the state's fiscal crisis.  Click here to read her letter to the editor.

How you can take action

It's important that the Governor hears from you to protect vital programs and services from cuts – including as decisions are made about holding-back “reserves,” which have the practical effect of cuts.

Contact Governor Quinn today. Ask him to fully fund important education, health and human services and make children a top priority in final budget decisions. For a list of some programs that are greatly at risk, click here.

Other action you can take

• Invite your lawmakers to visit schools and other programs to see the toll that cuts and payment delays already are taking on kids and families

• Contact Voices to share a story with news media about the potential impact of devastating budget cuts to your community, organization or family

• Contact Voices to organize a public event, such as a press conference or rally, in your district

• Join the Responsible Budget Coalition, a powerful statewide campaign committed to building support for solving Illinois’ budget crisis:
     o Sign-on as an individual or organizational member of the  Responsible Budget Coalition
     o Learn how to respond to questions about the coalition and revenue-reform legislation, using this Q&A sheet
     o Visit the Coalition's website for more information and updates

    
• Find events and activities taking place in communities throughout Illinois

Further information and resources

Sign-up for our e-alerts and stay tuned to this page for updates about Illinois’ budget and fiscal crises, as well as opportunities for speaking-up on behalf of children. 

• Read "Securing the Future” to learn how Illinois needs a sustainable, comprehensive, revenue-reform solution—one following the framework of House Bill 174. 

• To read more about this important legislation, read Voices' overview of HB174.  

• Learn how Illinois' low income tax rate compares to neighboring states.

• Learn why Illinois needs to raise the income tax, in the context of fiscal reforms.

• Read our Budget & Tax Policy Initiative reports.