Last week, Governor Quinn made history with the signing of tax relief legislation that will benefit every taxpayer in Illinois.  As the chief Senate sponsor of this measure, I was humbled to be a part of a process that will assist so many working families who are still struggling through this shaky economy.

A key provision of Senate Bill 400 is an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the first time since its inception in 2000.  By 2013, the EITC will rise to 10% from the current 5%, benefiting the over 935,000 Illinois families that claimed this credit in 2009.  This includes nearly 20% of families in both Cook and Kankakee Counties who saw an average savings of around $115.

Also included in this legislation is an increase in the standard exemption from $2,000 to $2,050.  While this may not seem like a dramatic boost, we added a provision that increases the exemption yearly based on the rate of inflation (if the standard exemption had been tied to inflation when it was created in 1969, it would now total over $6,100).  Too many families have seen their food and shelter costs increase without a corresponding increase in their own pay. 

I applaud the work earlier this year in steps taken to modernize our tax structure and provide needed relief to small businesses.  It seems that as of late, however, we have grown accustomed to repeated calls from our business community asking state leaders for incentive packages to grow and sometimes even stay in Illinois.  Unlike working families, businesses have the ability and the time to come to Springfield and advocate for or against various pieces of legislation.  This process makes it hard for working families to have their voices heard. 

I am proud of this legislation for that very reason.  With all of the talk surrounding business incentives, we were able to include meaningful tax relief to those who have not been given a handout or an incentive just because of a downturn in the economy. 

Read more about this legislation by clicking on the links below:

Chicago Tribune- Quinn increases tax credit for working poor

ABC 7- Quinn signs earned-income tax credit

As the holiday season is now upon us, many families across the country will gather together for holiday parties and dinners.  All of the work that comes with hosting or preparing a holiday event can be very stressful, both physically and financially.  For those less fortunate, however, the holidays only add to a level of stress already felt throughout the entire year. 

A recently released report by the Greater Chicago Food Depository (which can be viewed below) details the percentage of residents living in Chicago and surrounding suburban Cook communities who face food insecurity, which is described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as not having ‘access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life’.  While the percentage of residents facing food insecurities in select city neighborhoods is high, many suburban communities are facing just as high if not higher percentages of struggling residents. 

For instance, over 24% of residents living in Chicago Heights and University Park face food insecurities, higher than the overall Cook County percentage of 16%.  In an astonishing figure, the percentage of food insecure residents in Ford Heights is over 55%.  These figures include many children, seniors, and laid-off workers who are finding it difficult to secure stable employment in this recovering economy. 

Numerous volunteer opportunities are available with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a nonprofit that helped feed over 670,000 Cook County residents last year alone.  From packing food and working on a loading dock to making a monetary donation, there are always ways you can help end hunger in your community.  Below are links to both the Greater Chicago Food Depository as well as the Northern Illinois Food Bank. 

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Northern Illinois Food Bank

Food Insecurity in Cook County

There are many things to look forward to in the upcoming weeks: crisp, cool mornings, the beautiful transformation of leaves into bright oranges and yellows, and the celebration of Thanksgiving with our loved ones.  November also officially marks American Diabetes Month- a time to educate our families and friends about a disease that is affecting nearly 26 million Americans. 

The devastating effects of diabetes continue to plague our communities.  Recent reports put 79 million Americans at risk for developing type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.  And with a death toll that takes more lives than AIDS and breast cancer combined, it is past time we begin to acknowledge the real effects this disease is having on our society. 

The American Diabetes Association is a national advocacy organization that is committed to providing support and services to those affected with diabetes, educational campaigns on ways to prevent the disease as well as funding research to find a cure.  Local events are being held in November across the country to raise awareness and bring attention to this potentially life threatening disease. 

I encourage everyone to visit the American Diabetes Associations website to learn more about ways to deal with and prevent this disease.  For those who are struggling with diabetes, there are resources available to help you live your life as a diabetic as painless as possible.  Below are links to both the national American Diabetes Association website as well as the local Chicago Chapter, with resources and local events in the Chicagoland area celebrating American Diabetes Month. 

American Diabetes Association

Chicago Chapter of the American Diabetes Association

Last Monday, Governor Quinn signed significant safety legislation that will protect those who have been victims of sex trafficking.  Senate Bill 1037 provides for the relief from judgment for those with criminal convictions for prostitution when the crime was committed due to the person being a sex trafficking victim.  Defendants must prove their involvement with sex trafficking, either in the form of a police report, court record or affidavit from any government agency. 

I introduced this legislation to ensure women have the opportunity to rebuild their lives after being taken advantage of in such a heinous way.  I can only imagine the struggle women face when suffering from a past filled with violence and oppression.  Add on top of that a prostitution conviction that many women in that situation face and the obstacles to become a functional member of society are just too much to bear. 

It is my hope that this legislation will impact countless women who are looking to begin a new life full of peace and freedom for themselves and their families.  I applaud Governor Quinn for his signature of this legislation as well as the House sponsor, Representative Yarbrough.   

Read more about the signing of this legislation from news reports from across the country:

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Tribune

CNN

Ms. Magazine

I recently had the opportunity to take part in the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) 2011 Legislative Summit.  The annual event brings leaders from across the country together to discuss various issues facing states, including budgetary concerns and mandates from the federal government. 

As Chairwoman of the Senate Revenue Committee, I have had the opportunity to learn the inner workings of revenue mechanisms and how Illinois’ revenues relate to the larger budget creation process.  With this experience, I was recently appointed to serve on the NCSL Budget and Revenue Standing Committee.  This appointment gave me the opportunity to vote on several policy statements and resolutions that call on Congress to take action on certain pieces of legislation that directly affect states, such as unfunded mandates and federal tax reform.  The Budget and Revenue Standing Committee is one of ten committees that met at the NCSL Summit. 

The power that group discussion and interaction can have on formulating good public policy is often over-looked.  Discussing some very tough budgetary issues with colleagues from across the country gave needed insight into how other states are dealing with dramatically reduced revenues and other budgetary concerns.