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Thousands protest - and the fight continues

Five thousand people, many with children in tow, rallied in
Springfield last Tuesday to protest state budget cutbacks that take
effect July 1 if state leaders do not amend their doomsday budget
plan.

The cutbacks include:

· Eliminating homeless prevention grants, which helped more than 12,000 Illinois families this fiscal
year.

· 8,800 fewer homeless people will be sheltered if the state proceeds to cut 27% from the Emergency Food
and Shelter Program that supports the Chicago Department of Human Services and 88 other agencies statewide.

· Up to 80,000 low-wage working families would lose their children’s childcare subsidy, causing a
ripple effect for families and neighborhood caregivers.

· Preschool for All could be eliminated for 100,000 children now enrolled.

CCH has already fought back through rallies at the Thompson Center
in Chicago and in Springfield. There will be another rally at the
Thompson Center (100 W. Randolph) on Tues., June 30 from 11:00 a.m. to
12:30 p.m. CCH encourages all our members and supporters to march with
us there against the budget cuts. There will also be vigils held
from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Mon., June 29 and from 7 p.m. to midnight
on Tues., June 30 at the Thompson Center.

Help us stop this harsh state budget. If you cannot attend a rally or vigil, contact your
state representative and senator to tell them we need a humane budget
backed by an income tax increase. Illinois has under-funded human
services for more than a decade, and these cutbacks will cause tangible
hardship in an already tough recession.

An editorial footnote:

We respect the efforts of a few newspaper columnists and news sites to report on the looming
crisis, and the genuine fear that Illinois is about to shred its safety
net for children, families, the disabled, the elderly, and the poor as
they try to cope with so little in this tough economy.

Take a moment to read thoughtful columns published this week by Phil Kadner of
the Daily SouthtownStar, Burt Constable of the Daily Herald, Mary
Schmich of the Chicago Tribune, and Neil Steinberg of the Chicago
Sun-Times. We’ve also admired the thorough coverage by reporters at the
Capitol Fax and Progress Illinois.

"73-year-old asks, 'Who can I call?'" The SouthtownStar, Phil Kadner

"Forcing needy citizens to beg for help," The SouthtownStar, Phil Kadner

"State's budget cuts will hurt vulnerable kids," Daily Herald, Burt Constable

"Nowhere to go and no one to help them," Chicago Sun-Times, Neil Steinberg

"A deeper desperation at this year's protest," The Chicago Tribune, Mary Schmich

"Don't mess with the kids," Progress Illinois, Angela Caputo