League of Women Voters Calls for Action on Budget Meeting

via League of Women Voters of Illinois

“A joint letter to the editor, exclusively published by the Chicago Tribune, and co-signed by a number of non-partisan civic organizations, including the LWVIL, has pushed the Governor and legislative leaders to plan a meeting for November 18th.

…we have been advocating for this action, but more importantly for a budget that serves the needs of our citizens. At this time, we ask that all members take at least one of these actions and continue to put pressure on local and state leaders for a good resolution. They include:

ACTION NEEDED

• Contact your local legislator to encourage them and their leadership caucus to support adequate revenue in the budget negotiations on November 18

A meeting between legislative leaders and the Governor has been scheduled for November 18th where a discussion about breaking the impasse is the agenda topic; now is the time to make our voices heard.

WHY IT MATTERS

The people who are most affected by the budget impasse and the lack of new revenue are the most vulnerable – those who do not have a strong voice in our state.

• Children in Early Intervention programs. Although the court ordered payments to Early Intervention caregivers, without a budget there are limited funds available.
• Because Illinois has no budget, approximately 15,000 women will not receive breast and cervical cancer screening.
• The state ended funding for services that help 75,000 survivors of domestic violence in Illinois. Unless funding is restored, many people will need to choose between staying in violent homes or becoming homeless.
• 90% of service providers to the homeless in the State will need to consider denying services, laying off staff or closing programs since they are not being paid due to the lack of a budget.
• Nine out of ten families that were approved for childcare funding under the previous income guideline will now be denied under the proposed income guideline.
• Students and their families are alarmed about the possibility that financial aid and services will not be available for state colleges and universities.
• In response to police officer shootings around the country, the Illinois Legislature is requiring additional training for state police, and yet funding for all state police training courses has been suspended.
• Even our democratic process will be affected by the budget crisis. The State Board of Elections cannot even pay for its rent. And they anticipate problems paying for computers and personnel needed to help with candidate filing and election judging.
• 911 emergency services are no longer receiving money raised from cell phone users.

Please use your considerable skills and local contacts to do what you can.”