Press Release
Illinois Advocates React to Statewide Child Tax Credit Included in Governor Pritzker’s Annual Budget Address
02. 21. 2024
"We are greatly encouraged to see that Gov. Pritzker has taken a major step in the right direction by including a Child Tax Credit in his budget."
Springfield, IL – In response to today’s news that Governor Pritzker has included a statewide Child Tax Credit in his annual budget address, Erion Malasi, Policy and Advocacy Director for Economic Security for Illinois, an affiliate of Economic Security Project, released the following statement:
“We are greatly encouraged to see that Governor Pritzker has taken a major step in the right direction by including a Child Tax Credit in his budget. Governor Pritzker’s proposal makes it clear that the CTC is the right policy for this moment. There is no time better than right now to pass this important legislation. We look forward to working with the General Assembly to fulfill the Governor’s mandate, ensure that this policy passes, and meet the needs of hardworking Illinois families.”
BACKGROUND:
Illinois parents, advocates, and lawmakers gathered last week in support of SB 3329 / HB 4917, a bill that 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.
Governor Pritzker has a record of supporting tax policies that benefit working families. In 2019, he proposed a Child Tax Credit policy as part of his Fair Tax Plan. In 2022, Governor Pritzker supported—and signed—a bill to expand Illinois’ Earned Income Credit for low-income adults 18-24, older adults 65+, and immigrants who file taxes with an ITIN number.
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 40 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 40+ 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 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
- Greater West Town Community Development Project
- Heartland Alliance
- Hispanic Federation
- Illinois Action for Children
- Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Illinois Families for Public Schools
- Illinois Nurses Association
- 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
- New America Chicago
- New Moms
- Parents Organizing to Win Educate and Renew – Policy Action Council (POWER-PAC)
- Raise The Floor Alliance
- 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 for Racial Justice
- Young Invincibles