Housing Action Illinois has been updating our list of resources to assist people in their advocacy efforts to encourage Governor Rauner and our state legislators pass a responsible state budget.
“Stopgap” Budget for FY 2016 and First Half of FY 2017 (June 2016)
Just before the start of FY 2017, the Illinois General Assembly and Governor passed a “stopgap” budget, which is a much-needed respite after an entire year of paralysis—but it is nowhere near enough. It does not come anywhere close to undoing the damage of our year-long budget impasse. What we need is clear: a fully funded, full-year, responsible budget. Such a budget will have sufficient revenue to stop making cuts, restore previous cuts and allow Illinois to making smart investments.
Read our entire June 30, 2016 statement on the stopgap budget by clicking here.
See our breakdown of funding levels for programs to create affordable housing and end homelessness in the stopgap budget by clicking here.
Emergency Funding Legislation for FY 2016 and Appeal to Governor Rauner (May 2016)
Nearly $225 million in state funding that would help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing was included in a larger emergency funding bill for human service programs that the General Assembly recently passed with bipartisan support. The bill, SB 2038, includes funding for homeless shelters, supportive housing, rental subsidies, and housing construction. This funding—as well as additional funds for affordable housing—would have been available 11 months ago if not for the state budget impasse. On May 18, the bill was sent to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner for his consideration.
Click here to view the sign-on letter to Governor Rauner asking him to sign Senate Bill 2038.
Appropriations Legislation (February 2016)
These identical pieces of legislation appropriate $274.7 million from 8 dedicated funds and $35.3 million in General Revenue Funds for programs to create affordable housing and end homelessness. You can access the fact sheets for the legislation at these links:
Links to legislation on Illinois General Assembly website are available at these links:
Responsible Budget Coalition
The Responsible Budget Coalition is a large and diverse coalition of more than 300 organizations concerned about state budget and tax issues. It includes organizations that serve children, families, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities; education groups concerned about early learning, K-12 and higher education; labor unions; faith-based and civic organizations; immigrant and refugee families; and many others.
The individual organizations that belong to the RBC represent a diverse range of interests but are united by these three common principles:
- Adequate revenue to support state priorities and make smart investments.
- No more cuts to vital programs and services.
- Fairness in raising revenue.
Please have your organization join RBC and visit their website for research reports, revenue solutions and talking points.
Like the RBC on Facebook and follow the RBC on Twitter.
Housing Action Illinois Reports
Housing Action Illinois: Survey Results—The State Budget Impasse Is Causing Homelessness in Illinois (September 2015)
Other Policy Reports on Fiscal Situation and Revenue Options
Illinois Partners for Human Service: Human Services as an Economic Engine: “How Human Services in Illinois Drive Jobs and Economic Benefits” (May 2016)
Voices for Illinois Children: Budget Impasse Continues to Devastate Illinois Families and Communities (March 2016)
Voices for Illinois Children: FY17 Budget Proposal: No Balanced Budget in Sight (February 2016)
Voices for Illinois Children: Avoid Cuts, Choose Revenue Report (May 2015)
Civic Federation: State of Illinois FY2017 Budget Roadmap (February 2016)
District Level Information