May 8, 2009

Close to 100 individuals from across the state, including 30 from Heartland Alliance programs, went to Springfield to advocate for human rights as part of Heartland Alliance's From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign. With less than 30 days left in the legislative session, elected officials are making tough decisions about how to use limited state resources. Participants met with over 20 legislators during the day, calling on elected officials to increase tax fairness and protect against cuts in programs and policies that target the needs of the most vulnerable, such as affordable housing, income supports, health care, and more.

Currently, low-income families carry an unfair share of the tax burden in Illinois, with the lowest income families paying close to 13% of their income toward sales, income and property taxes, compared to only 5% among Illinois' wealthiest families. Progressive reforms, such as an increase in the state income tax combined with tax relief targeted at those with the lowest incomes through the Earned Income Tax Credit, are needed to increase the fairness and sustainability of our state's tax system and to preserve the programs that vulnerable people depend on every day. 

Our collective voices are needed to urge Illinois lawmakers to work on behalf of Illinois' most vulnerable residents!

Given the state's $12 billion budget deficit, major cuts to health and human services programs are on the table. Heartland Alliance is actively working to preserve these vital programs and services and we need your help. Visit Heartland Alliance's online action alert system at http://www.heartlandalliance.org/takeaction/alerts to contact your elected officials and urge their support of Illinois' most vulnerable children and families.

Take Action

Tell Your Senator to Support People in Extreme Poverty

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