A Fresh Focus to Inspire Action! - Illinois Action for Children

Advocate NewsLetter from the PresidentDear Colleagues,Your advocacy has created a commitmentthat doesn’t disappear indifficult times.I wrote those words in myAdvocateNews letter to you after lastyear’s legislative session—those words were put to the test in avery real way over the course of the past few months.This year’s legislative session was incredibly challenging, as thestate was faced with a deficit of more than $12 billion, and itsresidents were threatened with draconian cuts to vital humanservices in the midst of a terrible economic crisis in Illinois andthroughout the country.Our legislative leaders did not show the courage to pass arevenue increase that would have funded vital service withoutresorting to the “slight of hand,” gimmick-laden state budgetthey eventually passed, but you showed inspiring courage inthe face of incredible challenges and demoralizing setbacks.Here are the facts. When the Governor’s “doomsday” budgetwas announced, the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)was facing a 50 percent funding cut, leading to the loss of childcare for more than 80,000 children statewide, while Preschoolfor All funding would have been cut by at least one-third underthe General Assembly’s plan.Through your commitment and hard work, CCAP funding wasrestored to FY09 levels, while cuts to Preschool for All were farless devastating than originally proposed.Make no mistake—together, we all affected these changes. Werallied from Chicago to Springfield and beyond. We took ourmessage to the doorsteps of legislators and to the most influentialmedia outlets in the state. When the situation lookedbleaker than ever, we held solemn vigils for the children andfamilies in the crosshairs of an inhumane budget. In the end,we made a difference.We will be tested again. Another state budget battle is alreadylooming, and we will be renewing our call for increased revenuethat funds vital programs and services without placingthe financial burden on Illinois’ most vulnerable residents.I am very proud of what we have achieved in the face of overwhelmingodds, and I know that together we can face whateverbattles will come our way in the months and years ahead.Maria WhelanPresident/CEO, Illinois Action for ChildrenSpring Into Action 09!On March 24th and March 25th,2009, more than 200 advocates fromacross Illinois came together inSpringfield to sharpen their advocacyskills, learn about Illinois Actionfor Children’s legislative prioritiesand meet with their elected officials.Participants had the opportunity toattend informative workshops on avariety of topics ranging from howto use the Illinois Early ChildhoodAsset map to the latest legislativeupdates from Washington D.C. Inaddition, participants had manyopportunities to meet with their legislatorsduring our legislative receptionand visits to the capitol. Theyexpressed concerns regarding childcare and early education and urgedlegislators to place children at thetop of their priorities.The 2009 Spring Into Actionconference also included workshopsgeared especially to those centerbasedproviders participating in aseries of workshops on accessingPreschool for All (PFA) funding. KayHenderson, administrator for ISBE,reviewed and discussed the applicationprocess with providers.Planning for Spring IntoAction 2010 is alreadyunderway!Save the date for March 23–24, 2010in Springfield to once again gatherwith advocates from around thestate. We have some excitingchanges to our program this year,including an opportunity to havedinner with your legislators. Staytuned for more information.2