Latest Advocacy News: Flood Springfield with Faxes to Restore Shelter Cuts

One of the deepest cuts in the state’s FY 2012 budget was a 52% reduction for the Emergency and Transitional Housing program – down to $4.4 million from $9.1 million.  We saw a glimmer of hope recently when Mayor Emanuel urged City Council to fund the cut to the city’s overnight emergency services shift for the homeless – a casualty of the state budget cuts.  You can read all about it in the Chicago Tribune or the Chicago Sun-Times.

On October 26, the Chicago Alliance and our statewide partners sponsored a Call-In and Lobby Day to ask Springfield to restore this dramatic, disproportionate cut.  We made a lot of noise and our legislators are listening – it’s critical that we keep the momentum going.  So during the week of November 7th, we are going to flood Springfield with faxes.

Download the form here.

All you have to do is fill in the blanks and fax this simple message to your State Representative and State Senator.  Find their fax numbers here.  The week of November 7th is the last week of legislative session in 2011, so this is our last chance to restore this critical funding before winter sets in. 

Help us flood Springfield with faxes.  Please contact Nicole Amling if you have any questions. 

Make Your Voice Heard: Join the Advocacy Team Today

Do you want to be a part of a dynamic online community that is making strides to end homelessness in Chicago?  Take the first step by signing up for the Chicago Alliance's Advocacy Team today.

The Advocacy Team consists of service providers, consumers, and concerned indivuals committed to making a difference and ending homelessness in their community.  As a member of the Advocacy Team, you will receive periodic e-mail Action Alerts from the Chicago Alliance.  The Alerts will provide information about important and timely legislation or policy matters at the federal, state, or city level and urge you to take action, most likely by contacting your elected representatives.  The Advocacy Team is a true activist community -- the power of many voices will make the change we need. 

Send us one quick e-mail today and you'll be the newest member of the Advocacy Team! 

Chicago Alliance Advocacy Training

On December 1, 2010, the Chicago Alliance hosted "Strategies for Change: An Advocacy Training for Homeless Service Providers."  The event was generously sponsored by Quarles & Brady LLP and held at their downtown office.  Over forty providers attended the training and learned from:

- Legal experts about the advocacy do's and don'ts for 501(c)(3) organizations.
- A University of Chicago researcher about Chicago homeless service providers' involvement in advocacy. 
- An expert Executive Director panel on involving staff, clients, and Board members in your advocacy efforts.

You can view the Advocacy Training presentation and University of Chicago report for more information.  Contact Nicole Amling if you have any questions.