Another Day, Still No Budget for Illinois
Yesterday, the last day of session for Illinois’ General Assembly, could have brought compromise, a budget, a lifeline to service providers across the state. Instead, Illinoisans wake up this morning with more of the same: politics over policies. Both legislative and executive leaders attempted a handful of big impact proposals, such as a K-12 education funding plan, a Fiscal Year 2017 budget, and a stopgap budget to get the state through the election. But in the end, we are no better off today than we were yesterday, and in fact, we are worse off, having finished two consecutive legislative sessions without passing a budget. If any progress was made, it was in the leaders’ acknowledgement that the November election, and not the good of the state, is preventing any resolution.
Working groups comprised of legislators and staff from the governor’s office have promised to continue their work, and the House has already scheduled a session day next week. The work continues despite yesterday’s deadline.
Three Things You Can Do
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If you have 1 min |
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…5 min |
Send a Letter to the Editor of your local newspaper. |
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…10 min |
Respond to this survey from United Way. You do not have to be a |
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…15 min |
Contact your legislators. The Governor and our legislators have a job to do. Our communities and local businesses rely on a state budget before election day. |
As we continue to attempt to convey the depth of the devastation this impasse has on our communities, we ask that you share your stories with us. Our team here at Forefront is ready to answer any questions you may have about the budget impasse. Contact our Director of Policy and Advocacy, Alison Leipsiger, at 312-327-8912 or [email protected].
– The Forefront Policy + Strategy Team
Delia Coleman + Alison Liepsiger
Additional Resources on the Illinois Budget Impasse
The budget war's hidden $4.5 billion impact
The Invisible, "the Homeless" (In Spanish)
Illinois Atlas of Austerity
Responsible Budget Coalition Report: Budget Impasse Creating Barriers For Women and Mothers
The Illinois Budget Clock
Illinois Partners for Human Service Report: How Human Services in Illinois Drive Jobs and Economic Benefit
Forefront Radio: Interview with Senator Daniel Biss
We recently spoke with Illinois Senator Daniel Biss (9th) about the Illinois Budget Impasse. A member of the Human Services Committee, Senator Biss offered unique insights into how the budget crisis is directly affecting the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors in Illinois. We asked Biss if we should be worried about the trajectory of the relationship between the state and the nonprofit sector, whether this impasse will cost taxpayers more in the long run, and what the role of philanthropy should be in this crisis.