Social Services

SPRINGFIELD, IL— Governor Quinn recently signed into law Senator Michael Noland’s (D-Elgin) proposal to create tax check-offs for four statewide charities.  Tax check-offs allow Illinois residents to make a charitable contribution while filing Illinois income tax returns.

“Tax check-offs encourage people to contribute to important causes,” Noland said.  “State government cannot afford to finance all the social services, environmental conservation areas, and historic sites in Illinois.  This is just one way that we can encourage the public to support causes that they believe in.”

A weekly update on issues from Illinois State Senator Gary Forby

As the end of the fiscal year came to a close this past week, the governor signed the new state budget into law on Thursday. Although this year’s budget could have been a lot tougher than it actually was, it is a telltale sign of the difficult economic times our state and country are both currently facing. It is important to note that this did not happen overnight. Our current situation is a result of more than a decade’s-worth of short-term budgeting strategies and fixes. It is also important to understand that our state’s shortfall is not unique. In recent years, nearly every state in the country has been forced into a budget deficit situation. One report shows that at least 46 states face or have faced budget shortfalls for the upcoming 2011 fiscal year. Another report from the National Conference of State Legislators, a bi-partisan state policy organization, tells us that this economic recession has been the longest, most challenging recession since the economic downturn of 1929. Nearly half of all states experienced a drop below estimated revenues and have combined to total $174 billion in deficits nationwide, a number that continues to grow. All that being said, our governor was dealt a pretty sloppy hand. He was put in a no-win situation in terms of balancing this year’s budget and is trying to manage our fiscal mess as best he can.

Legislation sponsored by Financial Institutions Chair Jacqueline Collins and passed by the Illinois Senate today will keep people in their homes and provide a face lift to communities affected by record foreclosure numbers.

"Without a doubt inner-city communities all over the country have been impacted by our national economic struggles. As property values sink due to the rising tide of foreclosures, this initiative will be a well-deserved life preserver for many Illinoisans," said State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (D – Chicago).