The AIDS Foundation of Chicago Part of Statewide Coalition Opposing Quinn’s Plan to Cut $80 Million from Local Programs

50 organizations across Illinois rally to restore Quinn’s cuts, protect funding for cost-saving community-based programs

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is part of a coalition of 50 organizations focused on urging Governor Quinn and state lawmakers to pass a budget that avoids devastating cuts to the state’s infrastructure of community-based human care programs.  The coalition that organized the Rally for the Common Good at the Illinois State Capitol on May 6 represents millions of people from every community in the state.

Governor Quinn has proposed $80 million in steep cuts to a wide range of community-based programs, including child abuse prevention, rape prevention, and essential HIV/AIDS programs, as part of his plan to close the state’s $14 billion budget gap.  But sponsors of the Rally for the Common Good say that Quinn’s cuts are short-sighted, because community-based programs have a proven track record of preventing much bigger and more expensive problems down the road. 
 
"The impact of these budget cuts could be devastating to the HIV/AIDS community.  Low-income, uninsured people with HIV could wait weeks or months for medications that they must take daily to stay healthy," said John Peller, AFC's director of government relations. "Housing agencies could be forced to close their doors.  HIV testing programs might not have staff to reach people at risk."

The coalition points to several studies demonstrating that every dollar invested in community-based programs saves taxpayers $6 to $8 down the road on everything from special education and health care to prison and welfare costs.  Based on that research, they project Quinn’s $80 million in cuts will cost $500 million or more in years to come.  Many of the Governor’s deepest proposed cuts directly target programs that protect children.

With only two weeks left before the May 31 deadline for passing a state budget, the coalition is urging ordinary people throughout the state to contact lawmakers and the Governor and express their opposition to the cuts.  Several lawmakers are exploring alternatives to the cuts, including: cutting less essential programs, using federal economic stimulus funding to fill the $80 million budget hole, and reducing Quinn’s proposed increase in the personal income tax exemption to help restore funding for community-based programs.  For information on how you can help, visit aidschciago.org/action.

“Ultimately, it’s up to lawmakers and the Governor to work together to come up with a feasible plan,” said John Peller.  “But the one option that should not be on the table is cutting funding for proven, preventative programs when so many communities throughout the state are seeing record demand for help.”

Rally for the Common Good Sponsors:
 
AARP
Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc.
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
The Baby Fold
Bethel New Life
Business and Professional People for the Public Interest
Campaign for Better Health Care
Catholic Conference of Illinois
Center for Economic Progress
Center for Tax and Budget Accountability
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
Chicago Commons
Chicago Jobs Council
Child Care Association of Illinois
Children’s Home + Aid
Christopher House
Citizen Action - Illinois
Community Behavioral Healthcare Assoc. of Illinois
From Poverty to Opportunity Campaign
Grand Prairie Services
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Housing Action Illinois
Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Illinois Coalition for Community Services
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition
Illinois Partners for the Common Good
Illinois PIRG
Illinois PTA
Illinois Public Health Association
Inner Voice
Lutheran Advocacy-Illinois
Lutheran Child and Family Services
Lutheran Social Services of Illinois
Metropolitan Family Services
Mosaic
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Prevention First
Project IRENE
Protestants for the Common Good
Safer Foundation
Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law
United Way of Illinois
Voices for Illinois Children
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago
Young People’s Project-Illinois
YWCAs Illinois

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