State Budget Update

In May, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. In addition, the legislature provided extraordinary, though temporary, power allowing Gov. Quinn to reallocate the dollars included in the budget appropriation virtually at his discretion. That means it is not yet clear what state-funded programs will be cut, by how much or when. However, since the legislature appropriated from $6 billion to $10 billion less than real expenses for the current fiscal year, and since 90% of state General Revenue Fund (GRF, the state’s regular “checkbook”) appropriation go to education, healthcare, human service and public safety, it is hard to imagine how the governor will be able to implement the new budget without slashing spending in some or all of those vital areas of state services.

Please call Gov. Quinn’s office and urge the governor to fund all state human service programs at current levels (no cuts). And let the governor know that you support tax reform as soon as possible to provide sufficient and sustainable funding for vital state services. You can reach Gov. Quinn’s office at (217) 782-6830 or (312) 814-2121.

For more information about the state budget, its potential impact on services provided by Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and other non-profit human service agencies, please visit:

The Responsible Budget Coalition www.abetterillinois.com

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability www.ctbaonline.org

Voices for Illinois Children www.voices4kids.org

About Government Relations & Advocacy

Government Relations at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) is focused on holding government entities — mostly state, but sometimes federal, county or local governments — accountable for their responsibilities to people in need. Our government relations priorities are:

• Identifying the needs of people who use LSSI’s services and supporting public policies designed to meet those needs


• Identifying ways in which government can help to strengthen the human care “safety net” that combines the effort of public and private entities in support of disabled or otherwise disadvantaged people in Illinois.

Advocacy is that part of our ministry that goes beyond the specific needs of our clients or the programs that serve them and addresses underlying causes that contribute to the neediness of people and communities. Our advocacy ministry also addresses broader social justice issues, such as civil rights and environmental stewardship. Most of our advocacy ministry is carried out through Lutheran Advocacy—Illinois, a partnership of LSSI, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Advocacy Department and the three ELCA synods in Illinois. For more information on Lutheran Advocacy—Illinois, please go to www.LutheranAdvocacy.org.

Both the Government Relations and Advocacy functions of LSSI are part of the Office of the President and are overseen by Pastor Daniel Schwick, assistant to the President and director of the Office of Church and Government Relations, and by Jennifer De Leon, associate director. Stephen Taylor is the coordinator of the Office of Church and Government Relations at LSSI.

Lutheran Day 2009

On May 6, in front of an enthusiastic crowd in the Statehouse Rotunda, Governor Pat Quinn accepted the Paul Simon Courage in Public Service Award during Lutheran Day 2009. Read more about the event here.

Book Your Date with LSSI

Is your congregation interested in having an LSSI Sunday, a presentation on Lutheran Advocacy, or want to know more about Lutheran Disaster Response or the Just Neighbors program on poverty? The “LSSI Church Relations Menu” lists many learning opportunities for your congregation, and the “LSSI Speaker Sign-Up” helps you let us know what you’re looking for!

For more information, or answers to your questions, please contact Stephen Taylor, coordinator for the Office of Church and Government Relations, at Stephen.Taylor@LSSI.org or 847/635-4653.

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