Recent News And Events

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER – APRIL

United Way Pushes for Key Public Policy Initiatives During Annual Lobby Day

Medicaid Expansion Bill Passes Senate, Advocacy Now Focused on the House

United Way Asks Legislators to Consider ‘Statement on Transparency’

2-1-1 Illinois Expansion Continues with McHenry County

Contact Your Reps to Protect Charitable Giving
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Expanding Medicaid will boost Illinois' economy
See a factsheet on Medicaid expansion >

Read the United Way of Illinois Statement of Transparency.

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER – FEBRUARY

Bill in Illinois Senate Would Expand Medicaid Coverage to Thousands
Read about the bill here >

United Way CEOs Advocate for Human Services on Capitol Hill

CALL TO ACTION: Our Voice in the Budget Debate

Earned Income Tax Credit Lets Working Families Keep More of Their Pay

Checks for Federal Benefits Switch to Electronic Payments in March

Core Coalition Illinois Launches Website about New Learning Standards
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PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER – DECEMBER

Gov. Quinn Declares December 2012 'United Way Month'

Advocacy Must Continue against Limiting Deductions on Charitable Contributions

United Way Testifies at Early Education Budget Hearing

Core Coalition Illinois Launches Website about New Learning Standards
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United Way Worldwide Month

Gov. Quinn signed an executive proclamation on Dec. 11 to recognized United Way's 125th anniversary and to declare December 2012 "United Way Worldwide Month."
See the proclamation here >

Dick Durbin to Preserve Charitable Giving Incentives

In late November, 33 United Ways in Illinois signed onto a letter urging U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to preserve charitable giving incentives in the federal tax code.
Read the letter here >

PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER

Looking Ahead to Legislative Sessions in Springfield and Washington D.C.
Pension reform will dominate the lame duck legislative session in Springfield while the preventing the fiscal cliff will be the focus in Washington, D.C. Both are major issues with that impact funding for human services.

Election Day: Make Your Voice Heard
Voting is the hallmark of democracy and a form of advocacy, too. Learn the difference between election activities as a private citizen and as a staff member of a nonprofit organization. And don’t forget to vote on Nov. 6!

2-1-1 Illinois Expansion Begins
United Way of Rock River Valley is the newest member of 2-1-1 referral line in Illinois. Since 2009, call volume at the three pilot sites has grown 27%. Plans are underway to expand 2-1-1 to 83 counties across the state.

Focus on HEALTH: Childhood Trauma Questions Will Be Added to State Health Risks Survey
Next year’s Behavioral Risk Surveillance System survey will include questions about childhood trauma, which has been linked to health challenges in adulthood. United Way and other advocates joined together to urge the Illinois Department of Public Health to make the change.
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2012 Annual Report

United Way of Illinois had a busy and productive past year. Read about it in our Annual Report.
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Status of Health Reform

Learn about federal health care reform and its impact on Illinois.
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Public Policy 2012 Year in Review

Check out our overview of public policy challenges and successes in 2012.
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National Policy Update

Get a broader perspective on public policy in our national policy update from August 2012.
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May - June 2012 Notes from the Field

Keep up with the latest news from the public policy front...
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Gov. Quinn's FY13 Budget

Gov. Quinn's budget proposal, presented February 22, 2012, represents another year of difficult spending decisions that will impact Illinoisans throughout the state.
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January 2012 Notes from the Field

Keep up with the latest news from the public policy front...
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2011 Annual Report

United Way of Illinois had a busy and productive past year. Read about it in our Annual Report.
click here to learn more >

Analysis of the three proposals for the state's FY 2012 budget

A Voices for Illinois Children analysis compares budget proposals from the Governor's office, House and Senate as elected officials work to finalize the FY 2012 budget by the end of May. The Senate's version offers the most funding for human services.
click here to see the report >

2011 United Way of Illinois Public Policy Agenda

United Way of Illinois is please to share with you our 2011 public policy agenda.
click here to learn more >

Partnership Principles for a Sustainable Human Services System

United Way of Illinois supports the "Partnership Principles for a Sustainable Human Services System " developed by the Donors Forum. Read the Principles and take action to put them into practice...
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2-1-1 Reports 13 percent Increase in 2009 Requests for Help

The 2009 nationwide count of calls to 2-1-1 service providers across the United States shows that over 16 million calls were answered across America --- an increase of 13% in call volume over 2008 statistics. Here in Illinois you can see the count for the 13 counties that are part of our pilot 2-1-1 program.
click here to learn more (PDF) >

The aftermath of the state budget crisis: Survey results as of December 1, 2009

United Way of Illinois, whose 57 members together represents the largest non-governmental funder of human services for the state, surveyed more than 500 community service providers throughout Illinois to understand the impact of the recent state budget cuts.
click here to learn more >

Governor Quinn Makes Appointments to Human Services Commission
Launches Commission Website HSC.Illinois.gov

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today made appointments to the Illinois Human Services Commission. The Governor also launched the Commission website. The Commission is comprised of members with expertise in both the public and private sectors.
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Governor Quinn Signs 2-1-1 Service Act at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago

On August 21 at a press conference at the United Way offices, Governor Pat Quinn signed the 2-1-1 Service Act to advance the development and implementation of a health and human services help line for the people of Illinois.
click here to learn more >