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February 10, 2010. February 5, 2010. Campaign Contributions. January 12, 2010. 2010 Census. July 2009.

Illinois Fiscal Crisis - Support HB 174

Address the Illinois Budget Crisis -- Support HB 174
ACTION NEEDED: The General Assembly is making important decisions on the state budget and the future of Illinois right now. Contact your State Representative and Governor Quinn as soon as possible. The Senate passed HB 174 in May, so be sure to thank the senators who voted for the bill and ask them to continue to support it. You can also contact Speaker Madigan, Senate President Cullerton, House Minority Leader Cross, and Senate Minority Leader Radogno.

Insist that they protect students, families and communities from a ruinous state budget shortfall which is resulting in program cuts and eliminations and forcing some local governments and program providers to borrow money in order to pay their employees.

Urge them to support and pass HB 174. Passage of this bill would provide needed revenue to the state by increasing the personal income tax rate to at least 5 per cent. It also provides for needed tax reform, property tax credits and adds some progressivity to the current tax structure in the form of tax credits to low and moderate income families.

Ensure that Illinois will be able to pay for much needed services, including improvements in the way schools are funded.

BACKGROUND: HB 174 would increase the personal income tax by two percentage points, from 3% to 5%, and broaden the sales tax base to include 39 services commonly taxed in other states. It would raise the corporate income tax to 5% from 4.8 %. It would generate $5 to $6 billion in new revenues so the state could pay its bills.
The bill would double the income tax credit for property taxes paid by individuals and make it refundable. This credit would be capped at $1500. It would triple the value of the Earned Income Tax Credit and make other tax relief adjustments for middle- and lower-income taxpayers, who make up 60% of all income tax payers.
If HB 174 is passed, the new monies raised in Fiscal Year 2010 will be used to pay the state's bills. Starting in Fiscal Year 2011 and continuing thereafter, 33 and 1/3% of all new revenues generated from the tax increases in HB 174 will go to the Common School Fund (this new revenue for education must be added to the appropriation amount from the previous year). Similarly, commencing in FY 2011 and continuing each year thereafter, 16 and 2/3% of all new revenues generated from the tax increases in HB 174 will go to the Higher Education Fund. The rest of the new revenue from HB 174 will go to the State General Revenue Fund (GRF).
The LWVIL has supported HB 174 and its earlier version, SB 750, since it was introduced by Sen. James Meeks in 2004. Although HB174 has undergone some revisions, it still provides for schools and necessary services that serve children and families. It will improve the financial status of Illinois.
To learn more, study the following sources.
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. http://www.ctbaonline.org.
Voices for Illinois Children, Budget & Tax Policy Initiative, http://www.voices4kids.org.
Responsible Budget Coalition, http://www.abetterillinois.com.
For the Senate vote tally on HB 174, http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/96/senate/09600HB0174_05302009_051000A.pdf

Redistricting

For information on Redistricting, please click on the link below and plan on attending the February 17 meeting. http://hfarea.il.lwvnet.org/calendar.html Redistricting

Supreme Court Ruling

Urgent Alert Supreme Court Action
Make an emergency contribution today!The Supreme Court has made a tragic mistake.
Their decision last week in Citizens United v. FEC has created a new constitutional right for corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money to support or oppose candidates at every level of government. This throws out the protections against corporate and union spending in elections that have served our democracy for nearly a century. In doing so, the Court has ignored the best interests of the American public and our representative form of government. That's why I'm asking you to make an emergency contribution so we can fight back today. You may be asking, what does this all mean for me?

First: the Supreme Court ruling has given the green light for corporations to now intervene directly in elections -- from the local school board or zoning commission to Congress and the President of the United States -- taking the power away from average voters like you and me.

Second: corruption could skyrocket out of control -- now that the Court has allowed unlimited corporate and union expenditures, the power of well-paid lobbyists linked with those interests will vastly increase.

Through our 90-year history, the League has fought to ensure that voters are at the center of our political process. Now we must work harder than ever before to elevate citizen voices above those of special interests and corporations. Right now, the stakes could not be higher for people like you and me who care about open, honest government and a healthy democracy. The upcoming 2010 Census and quickly-approaching mid-term elections will shape the political landscape for the next decade -- the outcome of both must reflect the diversity of our nation and NOT the pocketbooks of corporations. We will continue to fight, despite this devastating blow to the principles protecting American democracy. And we need you with us more than ever. As a leader in the ongoing fight to make our democracy as vibrant as ever, we will not stop, we will not give up, and we will not give in. If ever there was a moment when our democracy needed to work for all its citizens, not greedy corporations or power-hungry special interests, this is it. To succeed, we need your support. Please, contribute today. Thank you for standing with us. Sincerely, Mary G. Wilson Mary G. Wilson President, LWVUS P.S. The Court's ruling means that big money and special interests will have an even tighter grip on our democracy. But we can, and we will, fight back. Please join with us as we work to stop special interests and corporations from freezing Americans out of our government.
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Reproductive Health - HB 2354

January 12, 2010
Time for Action + Health Care
Reproductive Health HB 2354 - Targeted in-district Visits to Legislators
To: Local League Presidents in Targeted Districts: IL 21st District (Zalewski) and IL 80th District (DeLuca)
Re: Reproductive Health and Access Legislation
From: Nancy Marcus, LWVIL President

Kim Reed, LWVIL, Vice Presidents of Issues

Janet Craft, LWVIL Health Care Issues Specialist

A comprehensive Reproductive Health bill introduced last year will be reintroduced this session. Early in 2009, LWVIL joined the Campaign for Reproductive Health and Access, along with health, educational, civic and religious organizations supporting HB 2354. Committees from this group worked on strategy and revision of the bill in the summer. LWVIL has a request to do in-district visits to several legislators in Districts targeted by the Campaign. http://www.illinoisreproductivehealth.org/coaltion.shtml.
The purpose of HB 2354: provide a broad range of reproductive health services, including expanded family planning services, emergency contraception, improved financial access and prevention of unintended pregnancies through comprehensive sex education.
Provisions: No level of government may interfere with decisions on contraception, termination of a pregnancy; and there shall be redress in the courts for such actions. Termination can be for the life or health of the pregnant woman. Reimbursement from State Medicaid or other medical assistance shall be at least the same as comparable services. Termination of pregnancy shall be according to accepted standards of medical practice by the method that will best serve the patient in the judgment of the attending physician. The Act provides comprehensive sexual health education, including sexual abstinence until marriage, curricula in all elementary and secondary schools.

2010 Census

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor Increase taxes to avoid service cuts. 7/1/09

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: March 2, 2010 07:23 PST.