Take a moment to post a message to President Obama on Facebook or Twitter; use our sample messages below.

People throughout Illinois are being harmed in very real ways every day the state budget stalemate continues. Everyone is touched by the failure to support human services — this crisis effects you and the people you care about!

President Obama is coming to Springfield today, Wed., Feb. 10 to address lawmakers about the ongoing budget impasse. Let's use this opportunity to echo this important message: Our lawmakers must put people on the agenda now!

Take a moment on Wednesday to post one of the following messages on Facebook and Twitter, along with the hashtag #ILBudgetNow. Our goal is to create a social media day of action that gets the word out about what our state really needs.

We recommend you post at 10 am and again at 4 pm. We recommend that you post to as many of these targets as you can:

National Address Targets
President Barack Obama: @BarackObama
First Lady Michelle Obama: @FLOTUS
Vice President Joe Biden: @JoeBiden
The White House: @WhiteHouse

Local Address Targets
Governor Bruce Rauner: @GovRauner
Illinois Senate Democrats: @ILSenDems
Illinois Senate Republicans: @ILSenateGOP
Illinois House Republicans: @ilhousegop

Hashtag
#ILBudgetNow

Twitter Posts
Note: We used @LuthSocServIL as an example, as it has garnered the most media attention and can further pick up national attention. If desired, connect the message to your organizational evidence and corresponding handles.
> Tell the legislature to put people on the agenda! @BarackObama
> At least 377 agencies have had to cut some social services and jobs. Tell the legislature to put people on the agenda now! @BarackObama
> People are hurting. @LuthSocServIL just laid off 750 staff because there's no budget. Tell the legislature to put people on the agenda @BarackObama!
> .@LuthSocServIL just laid off 750 staff! @BarackObama. Tell IL to stop the suffering @GovRauner
> .@BarackObama No budget, Meal on Wheels cuts mean agencies have to decide who gets to eat and who doesn't
> .@BarackObama Tell the legislature to put people over politics. People matter! @ILSenDems
> Our budget impasse is a pipeline to poverty. Tell IL lawmakers to stop the madness @BarackObama

Facebook Posts
We recommend accompanying posts with the image at the top left of this page.
> Each day the budget stalemate continues damages real people and our state's economy! President Obama, tell our legislators to put people on the agenda now!
> @BarackObama Illinois needs your voice! Tell IL lawmakers to put people on the agenda now!
> What would @BarackObama do? According to a survey conducted last month by United Way of Illinois, at least 377 agencies have had to cut social services and jobs. Tell IL lawmakers we need a budget now!

Thanks for your support! Let's flood social media with our message — and put people on the agenda now!

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at [email protected] or 312-327-8912.

— Alison Leipsiger, Manager, Policy & Advocacy