Dear Bridge Friends,
When the Illinois General Assembly left Springfield on June 1, they left with their jobs undone and their obligations unmet. One of the primary obligations for elected officials of both parties is a shared responsibility to enact a budget that meets the state’s moral and legal obligation to protect public safety, safeguard public health, strengthen our economy, and ensure every child has the educational opportunity they deserve.
Privately, lawmakers from both parties recognize the need to raise additional revenue due to both the downturn in state revenues caused by the current economic crisis and a state structural budget deficit that dates back over several administrations. But publicly, both have failed to do what is necessary, instead leaving a massive budget hole and resorting to political finger-pointing about who is to blame.
Even though the disagreements among legislators are the same as we see every year, this year is different. In prior years when a budget impasse was reached our legislators stayed working in Springfield until a budget compromise was reached. This year members passed a budget on time, but it is a budget that forced many services to be cut 50% to 100%.
Illinois families, who depend on services such as home care for seniors and day care for children, are being held hostage to politics, agencies we partner with throughout the state are facing devastating cuts to their ability to deliver vital services to the public. Unlike the state, they are not able to wait to the fall legislative session to meet their fiscal obligations. Failure of the state to fund programs now, means that people will begin to lose essential services now.
While Bridge Communities will see a reduction in our grant for case management services from the state, we are particularly concerned about the threat to other vital services our clients depend on. Cuts in subsidized child care alone, would put jobs in jeopardy for most of our clients. This is a critical element in helping our homeless families reach financial independence.
As we approach the new fiscal year and the real possibility of a Doomsday budget, we need your help and leadership in demanding that lawmakers from both parties stop the finger-pointing, set aside partisan politics and work together to craft a responsible budget.
We are also asking you to call both your State Senator and your State Representative and seek their help to avert this disaster, with the following messages:
Cutting public services in the midst of an economic crisis is irresponsible.
The worst economic downturn in memory and the highest unemployment rate in decades mean that the need for state supported services is greater than ever. To substantially reduce such funding, even given the state strained budgetary dollars, is to default on state’s constitutional obligations to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people, eliminate poverty and inequality while providing for the fullest development of the individual. The need for health care, education, income assistance and family services, among others, is increasing and state support for them should as well.
Cutting vital preventative programs will cost taxpayers more in the long run and make our economy worse.
Study-after-study shows that every dollar invested in the state’s prevention programs saves taxpayers an average of $6 to $8 down the road. For example: One in 11 Illinois teens uses illegal drugs on a monthly basis, and the resulting special education costs account for more than 10% of our state’s education budget. But instead of increasing our investment to prevent teen drug use, knowing that every dollar we invest in substance abuse prevention saves taxpayers $7 down the road, lawmakers have eliminated funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment altogether.
Also, on June 19th there is a Rally at 2PM in the courtyard outside the DuPage County Courthouse (west side of the Court buildings and the east side of 421 County Farm Road) in Wheaton.
Everyone interested is asked to join ranks to show our legislators the impact that drastic state budget cuts will have on the lives of DuPage County residents. For more info you can email knelson@dupagefederation.org
Following is the contact information for State officals:
Governor Pat Quinn
Springfield Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
217-782-0244
888-261-3336 TTY
Chicago Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
312-814-2121
Email: http://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm
Senate President
Senator John Cullerton
1051 West Belmont
Chicago, IL 60657
773-883-0770
773-296-0993 FAX
Speaker of the House
Speaker Michael Madigan
6500 South Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60629
773-581-8000
773- 581-9414 FAX
House Republican Leader
Representative Tom Cross
24047 W. Lockport Street, Suite 213
Plainfield, IL 60544
815-254-0000
815-609-3994 FAX
Senate Republican Leader
Senator Christine Radogno
410 Main Street
Lemont, IL 60439
630-243-0800
630-243-0808 FAX
Senator Dan Cronin
313 South Main St.
Lombard, IL 60148
630-792-0040
630-792-6820 FAX
Senator Kirk Dillard
One South Cass Avenue, Suite 201
Westmont, IL 60559
630-969-0990
630-969-1007 FAX
Senator Don Harmon
6933 W. North Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
708-848-2002
708-848-2022 FAX
Senator Randy Hultgren
1725 S. Naperville, Suite 200
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-682-8100
630-682-8108 FAX
Senator John Millner
290 Springfield Drive, Suite 225
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
630-351-9340
630-351-9370 FAX
Senator Carole Pankau
One Tiffany Point, Suite G
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
630-582-0390
630-582-0391 FAX
Representative Patricia Bellock (DuPage County)
1 S. Cass Avenue
Westmont Centre, Suite 205
Westmont, IL 60559
630-852-8633
630-852-6530 FAX
Representative Bob Biggins (DuPage County)
114 W. Vallette
Elmhurst, IL 60126
630-941-1278
630-941-1285 FAX
Rep. Franco Coladipietro (DuPage County)
125 W. Lake Street
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
630-582-0045
630-582-0406 FAX
Rep. Michael Connelly (DuPage County)
25W380 Chicago Avenue, Suite 100
Naperville, IL 60540
630-579-4848
Rep. James Durkin (Cook County)
6404 West Joliet Road, Suite 203
Countryside, IL 60525
708-352-7700
708-352-7702 FAX
Rep. Mike Fortner (DuPage County)
135 Fremont St.
West Chicago, IL 60185
630-293-9344
630-293-9785 FAX
Rep. Paul Froelich (Cook County)
15 W. Weathersfield Way
Schaumburg, IL 60193
847-985-9210
847-891-8772 FAX
Rep. Randy Ramey (DuPage County)
1883 N. Neltnor Blvd
West Chicago, IL 60185
630-876-0703
630-231-3742 FAX
Rep. Dennis Reboletti (DuPage County)
50 East Oak Street, Suite 250
Addison, IL 60101
630-530-2730
630-530-2792 FAX
Rep. Sandra Pihos (DuPage County)
799 E. Roosevelt Road
Building 2, Suite 111
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630-858-8855
630-858-8857 FAX
Rep. AngeloSaviano (Cook County)
14 Conti Parkway
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
708-453-7547
708-453-7594 FAX
Rep. Diane Senger (DuPage County)
125 Water Street
Naperville, IL 60540
630-219-3090
630-219-3091 FAX
Illinois House Republicans
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Illinois Senate Republicans
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Illinois Senate Democrats
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Tags: Advocacy, Bridge Communities, Budget, homeless, Illinois
