TAKE ACTION: SECURE FUNDING FOR IMPORTANT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION LEGISLATION
As a result of the House of Representatives of the Illinois Genera Assembly not voting on the revenue bills passed through the Senate the state budget is not balanced. Due to this imbalance we are facing a serious issue regarding the Governor's plans to cut $1.5 billion from the 2009 fiscal year budget. These cuts will drastically effect early childhood education, childcare, and a number of other issues important to our community. It is imperative that the Early Childhood Block Grant be supported, which funds Preschool for All, and would be an increase of $32.4 million over fiscal year 08, increasing program quality and accountability. The state will run out of funds on July 9th, which is the date the Governor's office predicts would be the final day the government can run on current funds. The only way to avoid this, and the drastic cuts, is if the House passes sufficient funding.
It is of the utmost importance that we all contact our state representatives and urge them to address this issue before July 9th. The information below, provided by Illinois Action for children, is indicative of the steps we must take in order to remedy this situation.
The following bills will provide sufficient funding to support the FY09 budget approved by both the House and Senate:
SB790 (fund transfers) would generate $530 million for this fiscal year by re-appropriating funds that are currently unused in various state accounts. This method has been used successfully in the past (2004) and would cover one-third of the reductions currently being considered.
SB788 (pension restructuring) would generate $400 million for this fiscal year by restructuring our state pension debt. This was also done in 2004 and was not controversial.
"Illinois Works" Package - State Capital Plan
The proposed $34 billion plan would generate an additional $600 million in revenue (through economic activity statewide) that could fund programs currently slated for drastic cuts.
The following bills need to be passed in order for IL to have a new capital program:
What you can do
It is of the utmost importance that we all contact our state representatives and urge them to address this issue before July 9th. The information below, provided by Illinois Action for children, is indicative of the steps we must take in order to remedy this situation.
The following bills will provide sufficient funding to support the FY09 budget approved by both the House and Senate:
SB790 (fund transfers) would generate $530 million for this fiscal year by re-appropriating funds that are currently unused in various state accounts. This method has been used successfully in the past (2004) and would cover one-third of the reductions currently being considered.
SB788 (pension restructuring) would generate $400 million for this fiscal year by restructuring our state pension debt. This was also done in 2004 and was not controversial.
"Illinois Works" Package - State Capital Plan
The proposed $34 billion plan would generate an additional $600 million in revenue (through economic activity statewide) that could fund programs currently slated for drastic cuts.
The following bills need to be passed in order for IL to have a new capital program:
- HB6339 (Rep. Hoffman) creates the spending authority for the $34 billion proposed capital program that will fund improvements to roads, bridges and schools statewide - including funding specifically for construction and renovation of early childhood facilities.
- HB1496 (Rep. Granberg) provides for a partial lease of the state lottery and would produce $7 billion in revenue.
- HB2651 (Rep. Molaro) expands gaming in IL by allowing for a Chicago casino, a land-based casino, a new riverboat, expanded positions and slots at racetracks. Education would receive 30% of all generated revenues.
- HB4723 (Rep. Hannig) provides bond authorization necessary to fund the Illinois Works capital program projects
- HB5618 (Rep. Will Davis) promotes economic development and community improvements in communities of need.
What you can do
- Visit your State Representative as soon as possible and urge him/her to go back to Springfield vote on these critical revenue bills. Call your Representative today or tomorrow to schedule a meeting as soon as possible request.
- Send a letter or email to your State Representative to communicate the urgency of this issue.
- Send a letter to your local paper to call attention to the proposed cuts to child care.
