Just one of the many images of rallies held throughout the state in support of human service funding. Click image for more photos.

For months Illinois State Legislators have been crafting a budget that takes into account the needs of all its residents. The budget as it stands is woefully devoid of support and funding for hundreds of human service programs for the elderly and disabled, children, victims of domestic violence, foster parents and kids to name just a few. United Way has joined its partner agencies in calling for lawmakers to put aside their differences and pass a sound and responsible budget that does not neglect those who need human services most. Throughout the month of June social service representatives, clients, government officials and taxpayers alike came out en masse to decry these unfair cuts. Through rallies, vigils and by contacting State Senators and Representatives, our voices were heard but unfortunately not listened to.

Timeline of what has been happening in Springfield:

May 31st: The State of Illinois passed a budget that cuts funding to health and human services across the state by 50-75%.  The General Assembly faced a July 1st deadline to come up with an alternate spending plan that would keep human service programs active.

June 4th: Hundreds gathered at the Thompson Center to protest the unfair cuts to human services.

June 8th: United Way launched its ACT NOW webpage encouraging Illinoisans to write to their legislators before the July 1st deadline and urge them to fund human services.

June 12th: The State sent letters to Illinois human service agencies detailing the cuts their current funding would be facing. Cuts ranged from 50-75% of programs’ total budgets.

June 16th: Gov. Pat Quinn’s chief of staff, Jerry Stermer briefed the public at a press conference and warned of the devastating impact these drastic cuts would have on human services and on Illinois residents overall.

June 16th: Organizations from across the sector held another rally at the Thompson Center immediately following Stermer’s press conference. State Representative Julie Hamos addressed the crowd to show her support for human services funding.

June 18th: A rally organized by Illinois Action for Children and other human service agencies brought out the largest turnout yet. The rally stopped traffic and closed streets as thousands expressed their outrage over the fate of human services in Illinois.

June 20th: A rally was held in DuPage County where human service cuts would devastate up to 200,000 people.

June 29th: Lawmakers returned to Springfield with plans to iron out a solution to the budget crisis.

June 30th: Midnight vigils were held at the Thompson Center in Chicago and at the State Capital in Springfield as organizations tried a last-ditch effort to sway legislators to fund human services.

July 1st: The deadline came and went with little progress toward ending the budget impasse. Gov. Quinn vetoed what he called an inadequate plan to fund human-services programs. The House speaker and Senate president announced they’re calling a special legislative session for July 14th.

Go to ACT NOW to see what you can do.

The deadline for passing a fair and responsible budget by our State Legislators has come and gone. The result? Nothing yet. We are still facing massive cuts to human service programs and state-run agencies that rely on equitable funding from the State to protect and serve the elderly, the disabled, children and others who depend on these services.  Social service representatives, clients, government officials and taxpayers alike came out en masse throughout the month of June to decry cuts to human service programs. Through rallies, vigils and contacting State Senators and Representatives, our voices were heard but not listened to.

We continue to urge legislators in Springfield to do their job and create a solid budget that leaves no one behind. We also urge them to be clear and transparent when communicating the results of the current Springfield session. All Illinois residents have a stake in this budget, and as it stands right now human services is not only lacking funding but direction on how to proceed. Please continue to reach out to your State Representative and Senator. Click here to ACT NOW.

The current Illinois State Budget is set to expire at midnight tonight and despite the emergency session in Springfield and the public outcry of support for human services in Illinois, there has been little if any progress made to resolve this impasse. Rallies have been held in Chicago and throughout the state, including a midnight vigil last night at the Thompson Center. It is now up to legislators to decide the fate of hundreds of thousands of people who depend on the State to produce a fiscal budget that includes funding for vital programs that help move people beyond crisis.

We continue to urge all Illinois residents to reach out to their lawmakers and urge them to find a way to resolve this stalemate that can have serious repercussions on the well-being and stability of people throughout this state. It is not too late to contact your State Representative and/or Senator. We have made it easy for you. Click here to ACT NOW.

Round up your team and get ready for American Street Mortgage’s 2nd Annual American Streetball Classic, a basketball tournament merging a little friendly competition with a good cause. Former Chicago Bear Jeremy Azumah will be the celebrity slam dunk judge and guest speaker for the half time show. Proceeds will go to United Way to improve our community by helping families and individuals become independent.

Date: Saturday, July 25
Place: Moody Bible Institute’s Solheim Center - (former) NBA Pre-Draft Facility
The goal: Raise $10,000

All donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a matching grant from The Chicago Community Trust.

REGISTER by July 17!

United Way President and CEO Laura Thrall addresses rally crowd on June 16 at the Thompson Center.

On Tuesday, June 16 members of the Illinois Partners for Human Service attended a briefing at the Bilandic Building in the Loop. At the briefing Governor Quinn’s Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer outlined what he called a real-life “half funded, half hearted, half baked budget” that slashes appropriations for human services by $5 billion. The cuts include all pre-school funding, substance abuse prevention, programs for people with disabilities, teen pregnancy prevention, sexual violence, delinquency prevention and elder care among other services.

“We are in desperate need of economic recovery and what this disaster budget needs is a public dialogue to fix it,” said Stermer.

Hundreds of human service agency representatives, including some United Way partner agencies, voiced their concerns and opposition should this current budget stand. Lawmakers have until July 1st to come up with a viable solution.

“The human service sector in Illinois is comprised of three critical partners – the government, private philanthropy and community-based service providers,” said Laura Thrall, president and CEO of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. “The State of Illinois is the largest funder providing about 97% of the dollars for services. As the second largest funder of human services United Way invests about $100 million across Illinois with foundations providing another $73 million. No matter how generous individual or corporate donors are, there simply is no other source to fill this $5 billion funding gap.”

Immediately following the briefing, hundreds of protesters converged across the street at the Thompson Center for a rally calling for full funding of human services. State Representative Julie Hamos, Laura Thrall and Julie Kasak Martin, YWCA coordinator of Victim Service, addressed the crowd that called for the General Assembly to put “people before politics”.

Check out pictures from the briefing and rally

United Way Coverage:
ABC Channel 7 (1)

ABC Channel 7 (2)

WGN Radio

General Coverage of Illinois State Budget cuts and rally:
CBS Channel 2   

Fox News

Laura Thrall, United Way president and CEO, explains why private funding cannot fill state budget gap at human service rally at the Thompson Center.

In this article:”What State Budget Cuts Mean”

The State of Illinois has passed a budget that cuts by half health and human services across the state. However, it is not too late to reverse the dire consequences that are sure to result if this vote stands. During the week of June 22, Governor Quinn has the option to recall law makers for a re-vote on the budget. United Way is calling on its supporters to help the hundreds of thousands of people who will be affected by this budget proposal. Already, the Illinois Department of Human Services is looking to close four mental health facilities, eliminate substance abuse treatment and prevention programs and slash all human service agency budgets by 75%. The negative effects of this will impact people for years to come.

Although the state is facing a massive budget shortfall—cutting health and human services is not the answer. Studies have shown that every $1 invested in community services returns $6-8 to Illinois taxpayers.

United Way partner agency programs have once again been forced to tighten belts after already working on shoestring budgets, while record numbers of people are seeking the services they provide. At United Way alone, funding applications for programs that help people become financially stable have doubled, and for every $6 of requests, there was only $1 of funding available.

Just over 75 years ago, in the grip of the Great Depression, the people of Chicago came together to create, fund and sustain a network of community services to help people in their time of  need, a network eventually known as United Way. As history seems to be repeating itself, we look to the people in our region to encourage their state legislators to work side by side with us to promote the common good and protect its citizens by maintaining funding for health and human services.

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. Click here for information on how to reach your State Senator or your State Representative.

For more information, please email Jack Kaplan, director of public policy and advocacy for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Untied Way of Illinois at jkaplan@uw-mc.org.

Like many members I first heard about United Way in passing. I didn’t have a full understanding of the organization’s mission until my company hosted a campaign a few years ago. The campaign sparked my interest during the same time YLS launched, and the rest is history!

I have always been passionate about helping people because I think everyone has the responsibility to lend a hand to those in need. Many of us have a tendency to sweat the small stuff and neglect to consider how fortunate we are. Sometimes it takes a conversation with a father struggling to provide for a family or a woman who has no place to go for us to gain perspective and remember that most things are circumstantial and the person you help today could be the person you need help from in the future.

It is an honor and a privilege to be associated with a group of young professionals that understand the value each member in the community possess and the fortitude to help these members reach their full potential.

I LIVE UNITED by trying to make a difference in my community and inspire younger generations to believe in themselves and their abilities to make the world a better place.

- Crystal Andrews
YLS Outreach Member
& Organizational Culture Analyst,
Internal Communications,
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

On Saturday, May 30, YLS volunteers helped paint, plant and polish up Erie Neighborhood House, a United Way partner agency whose mission is to strengthen low-income, primarily Latino families through educational programs for all ages. Nearly 30 energetic volunteers revamped the yard by weeding, mulching and planting shrubs and flowers throughout the outdoor play areas for children. The YLS volunteer project resulted in 100 hours of service, saving Erie Neighborhood House $2,000 in labor costs.

“Erie Neighborhood House has been a pillar of its community for over a century, and its staff has an outstanding commitment to the children’s development. For me, Saturday’s volunteer activity was an opportunity to share in that commitment to stewardship and create a more positive place for these children to learn and grow,” said Jason Mueller, of JPMorgan Chase. “Few things in life are more satisfying than the knowledge that you’ve made a difference.”

The extra help with allow Erie Neighborhood House to focus on their mission of serving the community’s families and children. Erie Neighborhood House empowers Latino and diverse low-income communities to reach their fullest potential with a range of award-winning educational programs for all ages. Their mission is to promote a just and inclusive society by strengthening low-income, primarily Latino families through skill-building, access to critical resources, advocacy and collaborative action.

Becoming involved with the United Way really opened my eyes to the amount of care and time our community is putting forth to improve the education and development of today’s youth. Although monetary contributions are needed, labor and time dedication is imperative for the organizations in need to improve in a timely fashion,” said Luke Newcomb, Associate Director at Cortland Capital Market Services LLC. “I really enjoyed working with the leaders and volunteers from United Way at the Erie Neighborhood House and will definitely attend future YLS events.”

Over the past year, YLS members have contributed 360 hours of volunteer service, resulting in $7,500 worth of labor cost savings to United Way agencies. In that time, membership has nearly doubled, reaching close to 1,000 people who contributed $360k collectively in 2008. A huge thanks goes out to all YLS members who helped further the United Way mission to Give, Advocate and Volunteer in our community. Reaching out to help those who need it most helps all of us. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED.

HEALTH CARE IS EXPECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR $1 OF EVERY $5 SPENT IN THE UNITED STATES BY 2016, RESULTING IN A RISE IN OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FROM ABOUT $850 IN 2007 TO ABOUT $1,400 IN 2016.

For more than 30 years Darlene worked as an x-ray technician, suporting herself and living comfortably on her own.  But her world changed drastically when she was diagnosed with epilepsy, which eventually left her unable to work and without health insurance.

“My biggest concern was getting my medications,” said Darlene who also suffers from asthma and depression.  “My prescription bill could be as high as $1,100 a month. I felt like I was starting all over, only I didn’t know where to begin. I was lost.”

Darlene turned to United Way partner Access Community Health Network (ACCESS) for help in finding a doctor and getting assistance in paying for her medicines. ACCESS offers a wide variety of programs including full primary care health services from general check-ups to chronic disease management to health education. Many health centers also offer additional services including special programs, case management and on-site specialty care.

“Access provided a great sense of relief for me because they connected me with good doctors and the right network of people and services that really cared about me,” said Darlene. “Even though I was still struggling without a job, I felt I had a sense of dignity back because I was at least able to take care of myself physically.”

Darlene continues to receive her treatment at ACCESS and is thankful for the United Way support it receives to help others in similar situations.

“United Way gave me a feeling of control and showed me that I hadn’t failed. They changed my life for the better.”

June is LIVE UNITED month, and you can LIVE UNITED by giving, advocating and volunteering in your community with United Way! Next month, people will come together to make change for everyone, something that is especially important during this economic time.

Here’s how you can give, advocate and volunteer to make a difference:

Give. Give $5 to families in crisis through the United Way Give5Here campaign by visiting give5here.org. Your gift to Give5Here will bring critical help to people in the areas of our region with the greatest needs. All new dollars will be matched by the Chicago Community Trust up to $500,000.

Advocate. Email liveunited@uw-mc.org to sign up for United Way advocacy alerts so that you can contact your congressman about issues that impact our community. Become a fan of our cause on Facebook by searching for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

Volunteer. Visit volunteersolutions.org or email gsims@uw-mc.org to lend a hand to advance the common good. A special volunteer opportunity will be available for Leadership Givers on June 13; email bkaplinsky@uw-mc.org to sign up.