Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) has joined a statewide coalition of advocates, service providers, and labor groups in a collective push to get Illinois leaders to resolve the worsening state budget crisis.
An early partner of the new Responsible Budget Coalition, CCH is one of 150 member organizations serving millions of Illinois residents that have been mobilized by the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. More than 1,200 people, including two busloads mobilized by CCH, rallied in Springfield on Oct. 15 at the start of the legislative veto session.
CCH continues to support adequate state funding of homeless prevention grants, affordable housing development, and programs for youth who are homeless and on their own. Many advocates believe that resolving the Illinois budget crisis is a first priority – the state faces a deficit of more than $12 billion next fiscal year.
This year’s $26 billion budget enacted a 10 percent cutback that slashed education, human services, health care and public safety, including layoffs of government and non-profit employees who provide those services.
The budget coalition promotes comprehensive tax reform based on what the Illinois Senate supported when it voted for House Bill 174, with rate increases, a new service sales tax, and tax relief for low-wage families. A new measure being introduced in 2010 could net up to $6 billion more in yearly revenue. More information is available at www.abetterillinois.com
CCH does not accept government support, but it does advocate adequate public funding for housing, job and school programs that serve people who are homeless or at-risk. Providers that work with CCH say this is a critical time – for instance, providers who shelter and support homeless teens saw a 23% cutback approved in July, and the state has not paid anything for four months.
The Night Ministry, one of 32 agencies on the CCH Youth Committee, operates a youth shelter and street outreach programs. It hopes to avoid shelter cuts because beds are full and staff is already turning youths away, said Program Director Carole Mills.
“I have been turned away from several shelters. You have to call in every day to see if there is a spot available,” said Crystal, an 18-year-old who attends a weekly group run by The Night Ministry and the CCH youth attorney.
At the Emergency Fund for Needy People, all state payments have been delayed, so no Chicago household can obtain a homeless prevention grant at this time, said Program Director Kathleen Molnar. When the funds do come through, approved cutbacks will leave enough to help only 22% of the 2,445 families helped last year.
- by Anne Bowhay and Samantha Hedges
