Press Release
Economic Security Illinois Responds to Illinois General Assembly’s Revenue Challenges
05. 14. 2024
Advocates urge a budget with sustainable revenue and consistent funding for vital programs, including a CTC, to aid low- to moderate-income families
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Springfield, IL – Today, advocates from the Fund Our Futures Coalition gathered outside the Capitol to urge support for a budget that generates revenue and consistent funding for essential programs to support Illinois’ low- and moderate income families, including a Child Tax Credit. This action follows a memo issued last week by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office indicating that cuts to grant programs and discretionary spending would be required if the Illinois General Assembly does not pass new revenue sources in Illinois’ FY25 budget. In light of these developments, Erion Malasi, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Economic Security Illinois responded with the following statement on behalf of the Illinois Cost of Living Refund Coalition:
“With the cost of living on the rise and growing demand for a state Child Tax Credit from families, advocates, union leaders, and even our own Governor, we call for a compassionate budget for Illinois. Our lawmakers must show courage and creativity by exploring progressive revenue options to ensure this year we can create and implement a robust Child Tax Credit that makes it easier for Illinois families to afford life’s essentials, like rent, groceries, or clothing. We will proudly stand behind long-term progressive revenue solutions proposed by the Governor’s Office, and any additional sources from the General Assembly if they can ensure the enactment and maintenance of critical policies that will help families flourish and reinvigorate our local economy.”
Advocates in the Illinois Cost-of-Living Coalition have been pushing for a Child Tax Credit for the past three years, in conjunction with allies in the House and Senate. Bills SB 3329 / HB 4917 introduced by State Senator Omar Aquino and State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr., respectively, would offer $300 for Illinois families who earn less than the median income. Such a credit would benefit 1.4 million kids and generate over $1 billion in local economic stimulus. In February, Governor Pritzker delivered a promising budget address which called for the creation of a statewide Child Tax Credit that would return $12 million to taxpayers with children under age 3.
The Illinois Cost-Of-Living Refund Coalition, which successfully led the fight for the Earned Income Credit expansion, is leading the advocacy effort for the Child Tax Credit. The coalition includes more than 50 nonprofit, labor, consumer advocates, immigrant rights, and grassroots, community-based organizations across the state. (See list of member organizations below).
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Economic Security Illinois Action is an affiliate of Economic Security Project Action.
Economic Security Project Action mobilizes resources and people behind ideas that build economic power for all Americans. As an ideas advocacy organization, we legitimize our issues by supporting cutting edge research and elevating champions, win concrete policy victories for the communities that need to see change now, and provoke the conventional wisdom to shift what’s considered possible. Our team of academics, organizers, practitioners and culture makers disburse grants, run issue campaigns, develop creative interventions and research products to support the field, and coordinate events to encourage investment and action from others.
The Illinois Cost of Living Refund Coalition is dedicated to getting more money into the hands of Illinois families. Our 50+ members are composed of unions, community organizations, consumer protection groups, and nonprofits, including:
- Age Guide
- Brightpoint
- Caring Across Generations
- The Chicago Community Trust
- Chicago Jobs Council
- Chicago Urban League
- Chicago Votes
- Children’s Advocates for Change
- Citizen Action Illinois
- Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI)
- Economic Security Illinois
- Economic Security Project
- Equity and Transformation
- Grassroots Collaborative
- Greater Chicago Food Depository
- Easter Seals of Greater Chicagoland and Rockford
- Greater West Town Community Development Project
- Heartland Alliance
- Hispanic Federation
- Illinois Action for Children
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Illinois Collaboration on Youth
- Illinois Families for Public Schools
- Illinois Nurses Association
- Illinois Partners for Human Service
- Illinois Public Interest Research Group
- Illinois Restaurant Association
- IUOE Local 150
- Latino Policy Forum
- League of Women Voters of Illinois
- LIFT- Chicago
- Metropolitan Planning Council
- National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter
- The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence
- New America Chicago
- New Moms
- Parents Organizing to Win Educate and Renew – Policy Action Council (POWER-PAC)
- Raise The Floor Alliance
- Raising Illinois
- Service Employees International Union – Local 1 (SEIU-1)
- Service Employees International Union – Local 73 (SEIU-73)
- Shriver Center on Poverty Law
- Small Business Advisory Council
- Small Business Majority
- Stand for Children: Illinois
- Start Early
- United Food & Commercial Workers – Local 881 (UFCW – 881)
- United Way of Illinois
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
- UpTogether
- Warehouse Workers for Justice
- Women Employed
- Woodstock Institute
- Worker Center 4 Racial Justice
- Young Invincibles