Voices Of Hope Podcasts on Illinois Blog

Voices of Hope: Caprice Morales

Sat June 28 2008

Press conference on the pending FY 2009 state budget

Wed June 11 2008

Twelve of Illinoisâs largest advocacy organizations â advocates who work for children, the chronically ill, and families living in poverty... read more

Twelve of Illinoisâs largest advocacy organizations â advocates who work for children, the chronically ill, and families living in poverty â are calling on state leaders Wednesday to adopt the fiscal year 2009 state budget recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly. The tentatively approved state budget includes $105 million of largely overdue funding increases that provide advances in housing, health services, and childrenâs programs, including:-$85 million for needy children. This includes $32.5 million for preschool and early childhood programs and $45 million for childcare reimbursements for low-income families.- $10 million for housing and homelessness, including $3 million for school programs serving homeless students and $1.7 million for housing and job training for unaccompanied youth.-$7.5 million for cash grant increases to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).-$3.5 million health-related projects, including $2 million for school-based health centers and $1.5 million for AIDS drug assistance and HIV testing.âMiddle- and low-income families struggle to get by, particularly in this tough economy. Circumstances can quickly change for these families, leaving breadwinners out of work and uninsured and families without adequate housing or health care,â said Eithne McMenamin, a policy specialist with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. âThatâs why itâs critical that our state budget retain substantial, new investments in childrenâs well being and in the families that need help with their health care and housing,â said Sean Noble, director of government relations for Voices for Illinois Children.Advocates speaking out at the press conference:ÂAIDS Foundation of Chicago Â Chicago Coalition for the Homeless Â Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers Â Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois Â Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights Â Illinois Action for Children Â Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition Â Ounce of Prevention Fund Â Protestants for the Common Good Â Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law Â Supportive Housing Providers Association Â Voices for Illinois Children read less