Chicago Metro Association for Education of Young Children

There are still a surprising number of people, those who work outside of human services, who are unaware of the detrimental effects the "Doomsday Budget" will have on the children and families in Illinois. We must strengthen our efforts to ensure that a fair budget, one that does not cut services to our most vulnerable citizens, is passed into law. The General Assembly will reconvene on Monday and Tuesday of next week and it's imperative that they feel our urgency around this issue.

How do we keep the pressure on our legislatures?

* 80,000 Parents will be without childcare

* 200,000 People will lose their jobs

* 150,000 Children will lose their early education

YOU CAN HELP!

• Reach out to 5-10 colleagues, friends, neighbors and parents to voice your concern
• CALL the GOVERNOR’S OFFICE and LEGISLATORS every day to say "no cuts to children and families"
• WRITE LETTERS to the Editors of your local newspaper
• ALERT your community by POSTING SIGNS that say "Cuts that hurt children and families hurt our community"
• Post your story at the bottom of this article. Be sure to log in or register first.

Core Messages for Fighting Budget Cuts in Early Childhood Programs

State policymakers have not committed significant revenues to filling Illinois’ multibillion-dollar budget hole. The tentatively-approved state budget is funded at only 50% of the Governor’s proposed spending plan for FY10, leaving early childhood and many other programs in grave danger of deep cuts or even elimination:

The Department of Human Services is slated for only $1.6 billion to cover more than $3.5 billion in services.

The Illinois State Board of Education is designated for about $500 million in revenues to help programs totaling about $900 million of needs.

Like all early childhood organizations in Illinois, Chicago Metro AEYC has been paying close attention to the recent budget-related activity as it unfolds within the state government. Many of the decisions being made could affect early childhood providers for better or worse.

To encourage Illinois citizens to get involved in the democratic process as it affects them, we have been reaching out to our members and friends by way of emails, letters, phone calls, and microblogs.

And as we'd hoped, our audience has responded.

• 6/18/09 - Thousands of child care and social services advocates rally at Thompson Center
  With a partial budget threatening to devastate many state-funded programs including early intervention, after school programs, child care assistance, and programs for disabled and homeless children, Chicago Metro AEYC members and staff joined thousands of other advocates to beg Governor Quinn and the General Assembly to choose "People Before Politics!". Legislators will need to revamp the partial budget by July 1 in order to prevent cutting programs that help the most vulnerable of Illinois residents.
• 6/10/09 - Congratulations to Mary Willmore and Mary Leggett
  • 
  (pictured right), who are the 2009 recipients of the Service to Chicago Metro AEYC Award. Ms. Willmore and Ms. Leggett have been vital components in the Bilingual Basic Skills Course, which gives students the means to achieve Type 04 Teacher Certification.
• 6/10/09 - Chicago Metro AEYC is pleased to announce the charter of 6 Student Chapters
  Welcome ECE students from Concordia University, Kendall College, Kennedy King College, National-Louis University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago!