About | Donate | Upcoming Events

Voices for Illinois Children Newsletter
From Voices President Tasha Green Cruzat

March 3, 2020

YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Acquires Voices for Illinois Children

I am thrilled to announce that Voices for Illinois Children begins a new chapter in its three-decade history as the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago has acquired Voices. The YWCA is a local leader in early childhood and child care support services. Combined with Voices’ KIDS COUNT and other policy work, along with our advocacy and outreach efforts, the new arrangement will provide a strong platform from which to work on measures that will improve the well-being of all Illinois children.

Your support of Voices to date has been instrumental in our success. I hope you will continue to support us and the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. The YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women benefits children all across the state. As a member of the policy and advocacy community, I have long been a supporter of collaborating ideas and resources for the greater good. Serving on the Partnership for America’s Children board of trustees, has provided me with the insight to see these types of acquisitions are happening on both the national and local fronts. We are excited about this opportunity, and we look forward to advancing our policy and research initiatives in early childhood and other important endeavors to supplement the YWCA's great work in helping families.

I will continue to lead Voices at the YWCA under its new name Voices for Illinois Children, Powered by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. Voices’ staff members Dr. Bill Byrnes and Mitch Lifson will also continue their work at the YWCA.

You can read the press release detailing the acquisition here.

Governor's Introduced Budget for Fiscal Year 2021

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has presented his budget for Fiscal Year 2021 to the General Assembly. While the $42 billion General Funds budget contains increased state investments in early childhood education, child care, higher education, and the Department of Children and Family Services, it also contains appropriations of $1.4 billion held in reserve pending the outcome of the November ballot question on a graduated income tax. If voters do not approve the measure, then some or all of the listed appropriations may not occur absent additional fund transfers, interfund borrowing or a new revenue.

The legislature has begun appropriations hearings on the budget. You can read Mitch Lifson's review of the introduced budget on our website.

Children's Health Caucus

Last month, members of the bipartisan Legislative Children's Health Caucus met in Springfield. I had the chance to discuss trends in children's health, which will be the focus of Voices' next KIDS COUNT Report.

Voices President Tasha Green Cruzat, Dr. Thomas Shanley (President and CEO of the Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital), and Rep. Tom Demmer (Co-Chair of the Children's Health Caucus)

Large disparities in infant mortality, adequate mental health services to children, and an increasing number of uninsured children are just some of the issues our state needs to address. Voices is a founding organization of The Collaborative on Children's Health Policy. We look forward to working with members of the General Assembly, Governor Pritzker, and our Collaborative colleagues on these and other issues to improve the physical, social, and emotional health of Illinois children.

Racial Impact Note Act

At Voices' request, Rep. Camille Lilly has reintroduced legislation to create a state Racial Impact Note Act (HB 4428). The Act requires, upon the request of a member, a state agency or board to prepare a statement or note on introduced legislation that provides a reliable estimate of the anticipated impact on racial and ethnic minorities likely to be affected by the bill.

Whether it involves issues of health, education, poverty, or housing, Voices believes it is important for legislators to take a look at existing disparities faced by Illinois children and their families. It challenges us to look at existing or past patterns of discrimination and consider the most effective use of our fiscal resources to eliminate disparities.

HB 4428 is currently in the House Rules Committee. We will continue to work with members of the General Assembly, business leaders, and non-profit leaders for passage of this measure.

If you did not subscribe, or no longer wish to receive email updates, unsubscribe here.

Voices for Illinois Children
312-456-0600
[email protected]