September 8, 2010

TELL CONGRESS: HELP WORKING FAMILIES!

Congress returns to Washington on Sept. 13. Let’s send them back with a clear priority: Extend successful job-creation and tax-cut policies that help struggling families.  

Click here to learn more and to contact your congressman and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris today.  Encourage them to vote for extension of:

•    The TANF Emergency Contingency Fund, which has helped create more than 30,000 jobs in Illinois,

•    Improvements in the Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, which have targeted extra assistance to hundreds of thousands of working families in our state, and

•    Only those federal tax cuts targeted at low- and middle-income families.

2010 ELECTION TOOLKIT NOW AVAILABLE

This election season, we have an opportunity to shape our state’s path forward and demand leadership that will prioritize children’s needs.  To help ensure that the well-being of children and families is a part of the public dialogue and at the top of candidates’ agendas, we invite candidates, advocates and the public to use our 2010 election-season toolkit, which includes an issue briefing and a list of topical questions for candidates.   

VICTORIES FOR KIDS

Early learning and after-school opportunities for Illinois’ kids have grown stronger with the passage of four bills:  ACT Now legislation that bolsters after-school programs, the preK students’ transportation bill that ensures partial reimbursement for busing costs, the “Preschool for All” legislation that preserves access to high-quality early learning services, and the $45 million early childhood capital funding that will help build new classrooms and renovate others in disrepair.

BORROWING FROM OUR FUTURE IS NO ANSWER

Featured in The Daily Herald, Voices President Kathy Ryg explains why there is a critical need for "adequate solutions" and a "balanced approach" to help alleviate the state's fiscal crisis.  Ryg’s letter to the editor, “Borrowing from our future is no answer,” emphasizes that the steps taken by the state in response to the fiscal crisis - more than $1 billion in cuts, various reform measures, and one-time revenues – cannot, on their own, solve the problem.  New, recurring revenues and a modernized tax structure are the missing links that will help the state reach a responsible and balanced solution.

YOU'RE INVITED!

Kids at Heart: A FUNdraiser on September 25

Come celebrate the “kid in you” and enjoy a night of fun with the Voices for Illinois Children Associates Board.  Join us on a roof deck high above the Loop for an entertaining evening of activities and valuable raffle and auction prizes.  Proceeds will benefit Voices for Illinois Children’s efforts to support foster children.

For more information and to register, click here.

Kids Count Awards Dinner is October 7th

Please join us! This year’s event will highlight innovative approaches to ensuring that our children receive the educational support they deserve, both in and out of school.  We’re delighted to be honoring Frank Clark, ComEd Chairman and CEO and Nicor, both outstanding leaders in supporting education for children at risk.

For more information visit our event page or call Shawn at (312) 516-5552. Not-for-profit colleagues, ask about discounted tickets.