Advocate

Protect Illinois Citizens from Community Services Collapse. Write to Your Legislators today.

Just as Illinois needs well-maintained bridges and roads, it needs a strong, well-managed network of community services to help people in their time of need. The State of Illinois, as the largest funder of Health and Human Services, has a responsibility to promote the common good and protect families in communities across Illinois.

Right now threatened cuts to state-supported human services could be in excess of $78 million, which translates into the elimination of programs that help people to move beyond crisis and become independent. Decisions made today will affect lives for years to come.

Already:

• 1 in 10 Illinoisans face malnutrition, including 1 in 6 children.

• 1 in 6 children are at risk for abuse or neglect.

• 1 in 15 women live with domestic violence.

• 1 in 10 workers are jobless.

• 1 in 7 children fail to graduate high school.

The citizens of Illinois need assistance, not cuts. In this economy, the need for services is skyrocketing. Now more than ever, community services must be a priority. Studies show that every $1 invested in community services returns $6 to $8 to Illinois taxpayers. Lawmakers must make wise, strategic investments today or pay higher costs for bigger problems later. There is no cost savings when inaction only avoids solving problems.

How you can help: Contact your Illinois legislator and tell him or her that holding the line on Health and Human Services funding is critical if Illinois is to be positioned for future growth and prosperity. For information on how to reach your state senator and representative, visit www.ilga.gov/house/ and www.ilga.gov/senate/.