Responsible Budget Coalition

"We Can't Wait" rally crashes the capitol

The "We Can't Wait" rally was a ringing success, bringing thousands of activists from every part of the state to send the message that vital services--education, health care, child care, universities, human services, state and local governments and more--need a responsible budget now. Watch the slideshow and see below for just some of the great news coverage we generated.

Associated Press: "Immigrants and homeless mothers joined with prison guards and former prison inmates Wednesday to demand the state raise taxes instead of depending solely on drastic budget cuts to solve Illinois' historic budget problems."

Gatehouse News Service: [P]eople filled the Capitol Wednesday to push lawmakers to approve a spending plan that would spare potential cuts to human-service programs. The crowd, which ranged from social workers to teachers, urged legislators to pass House Bill 174, which passed the Senate last year but stalled in the House. The legislation would increase the state income tax from 3 percent to 5 percent and would make other changes to bring in billions of dollars in new revenue.

Lee Newspapers: A swelling, multi-billion dollar deficit has left Illinois months behind in its payments to providers across the state.For instance, the Williamson County Early Childhood Cooperative in southern Illinois is planning to send layoff notices to its 41 employees in the next few weeks because money from the state has not come through. Director Linda Drust was at the Capitol on Wednesday as part of a rally for an income tax increase. "It's dire right now," she said. "It's important that the state comes up with a solution to solve the problems. What we're doing is holding our young children and parents hostage."

Progress Illinois: Today, members of the Responsible Budget Coalition traveled from every corner of the state to pay lawmakers a visit at the state capitol building in Springfield.  (Organizers estimated that 3,000-4,000 people attended.)  At a large rally in the rotunda -- followed by individual office visits -- the protesters reminded their representatives that no part of their job is more important than passing a budget that protects the health, education, and well-being of Illinois' citizens. And doing so will require new revenue.

 

WAND-TV Decatur/Springfield Ch. 17:

Illinois Education Association:

Responsible Budget Coalition launches "We Can't Wait" campaign video

We Can’t Wait Rally on February 17th

As a part of the We Can’t Wait Campaign, the RBC is hosting a rally in Springfield on Wednesday, February 17th.
 
The General Assembly must pass a responsible budget with real new revenues this spring.  Delay is unacceptable! No more doomsday scenarios, no more delays, no more senseless cuts and unpaid bills with organizations falling into debt or closing their doors, jobs lost, community needs unmet, and missions forsaken.
 
We Can’t Wait! The RBC needs you and your friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers to turn out in force!
 
Click on the pictures below to view and print the Rally flyers in English and Spanish.


 

RBC Faith Letter

It's imperative that the faith community add its voice to our urgent call to solve the state budget crisis, prevent further harmful cuts to essential public services, and make taxes fairer.

That's why we're working to gather the signatures of at least 1000 denominational executives, faith leaders and lay persons in churches, congregations, mosques, synagogues, temples and communities across Illinois by mid-February. More than 250 bishops and heads of denominations along with local church pastors and leaders of faith-related organizations have already signed the letter, and we hope that you will join them! This is an interfaith effort. Persons of all faith traditions are encouraged to sign on.



If you are a person of faith, whether a leader or lay person, please add your voice to this important effort by signing onto the letter by clicking here. You can read the full letter after the jump.

ALL-RBC CALL-IN DAY

 ALL-RBC CALL-IN DAY, Weds., Jan. 13
Tell state reps to support HB 174!
 
This week, lawmakers returned to the capitol to open a new legislative session. It's critical that every member organization of the Responsible Budget Coalition remind the House of Representatives that the painful fallout of the collapsing state budget can't be overlooked any longer. That's why Wednesday, Jan. 13 will be an ALL-RBC CALL-IN DAY to members of the House.

Please make calls to your state representative--and do everything you can to generate as many calls as possible from throughout your organization and contacts. Call your state rep directly at their Springfield office, or the capitol switchboard at 217-782-2000. Use this link to look up your state rep. Tell them: “Stop devastating cuts to schools, hospitals, human services and state and local governments!  Support House Bill 174!”
 
Click here for a flyer with all the information you'll need to ring the phones off the hook on Wednesday.

WE CAN’T WAIT!

The RBC’s “We Can’t Wait” Campaign is your way to tell your legislators how you are being impacted by the current budget crisis. This campaign gives you an easy way to make contact with your State Representative and State Senator so they know how their actions in Springfield are being felt at home.

How do I get involved?

It’s easy! Click here and follow the steps to participate. Make sure to get your friends, family, co-workers and everyone else you know involved, too!

Remember, with a responsible budget we can ALL do better!

The fight for a fair budget continues!

 

(Click here to download the Rally Flyer in Spanish)

Standing room only crowd jams Chicago coalition kickoff

We had a fantastic kickoff event yesterday, featuring Senate President John Cullerton, state Board of Education chairman Jesse Ruiz, former comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, many key coalition leaders, moving stories about the harm done by budget cuts to crucial services, and great energy behind our drive to pass a responsible budget.

Click the image below to view a Flickr set from the kickoff, and see below for links to media coverage.

WLS TV (ABC Channel 7): "A new organization called the Responsible Budget Coalition has united 93 groups to try to solve the state's budget crisis. The coalition seeks public and legislative support for tax reform to raise more revenue, maintain public services, and save jobs. Senate President John Cullerton said the senate wanted to be fair to low and moderate income-earners when it voted to increase the state income tax. 'So we said: Let's increase the earned income tax credit. Let's increase the personal exemption, and put that right in the bill. And give some property tax relief to folks who pay property tax. We put that in the bill,' said John Cullerton, (D) Senate president. Senator Cullerton urged the House to pass that legislation, so Illinois can pay its bills on time, fund its pensions, and meet its other needs."

Progress Illinois: "Hundreds gathered at a Chicago's Spertus Institute this afternoon to celebrate the launch of the Responsible Budget Coalition, which is calling on the General Assembly to pass a fair and balanced budget. ... Former comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch, who made an income tax hike a major component of her 1994 gubernatorial campaign, was blown away by the energy in the room. With the state's debts growing and services endangered, she said now is the time to put 'patience aside' and get something done. On October 15, the Coalition will try to do just that by hosting a rally to in Springfield to welcome lawmakers back for the fall veto session. We'll be sure to follow their next moves."

If you couldn't be with us or want to relive it already, you can view raw footage of the event via Blue Room Stream.

Kickoff!