Public Policy Agenda
United Way of Illinois Announces Agenda
United Way of Illinois is please to share with you our 2009 public policy agenda. This agenda represents the concerns and interests of a broad range of organizations and partners throughout our statewide system. It reflects the challenging economic and political climate in which we are currently operating and the adverse impact it is having on an increasing number of individuals and families in every community throughout Illinois.
In order to achieve our important policy goals we must now become actively engaged in efforts to communicate the agenda to a wide range of individuals and organizations and enlist their support for our work. Please share this agenda with those you know personally and professionally. Should you have any questions or comments about our agenda contact Jack Kaplan at 312.906.2368.
2009 UNITED WAY OF ILLINOIS PUBLIC POLICY AGENDA
Advancing the common good through public policy
UWI is a statewide association of 59 local organizations that create long-lasting community change by addressing underlying causes of the most significant issues. Common focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and family independence, and improving people’s health.
In rural areas, towns and cities across Illinois, local United Ways assess the needs of their communities and work on-the-ground, devising plans to meet local human needs. Through our work, our assessments, and our close ties to community partners and to those we serve, United Ways attain accurate, detailed knowledge about local human needs. This information is a vital tool for policy makers at all levels of government.
United Way brings together stakeholders from all across the community-government, business, organized labor, nonprofits, and ordinary people to tackle these issues. Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow.
UWI recognizes the critical role that state government plays in creating systemic change that can improve people’s lives. United Way engages in public policy advocacy because we recognize that it is our civic obligation to use our experience and knowledge to help inform policy-makers’ decisions regarding policy and funding of critical human service programs.
United Way’s role in public policy is focused on educating elected officials about how health and human service policies affect constituents and advocating for policies and services that promote healthy communities.
By positioning itself as a non-partisan convener, facilitator and coalition builder UWI can bring stakeholders together to listen and create achievable policy solutions to community problems.
In 2009 United Way of Illinois will advocate for sound policies affecting the human service sector’s capacity to advance the common good.
Moving Illinoisans forward in challenging fiscal times
We all have a shared interest and responsibility to promote the common good by ensuring our public infrastructure includes a strong, well-managed network of community services that complement traditional government institutions. In order for communities throughout Illinois and the families that call them home to succeed and prosper, we must repair and strengthen the community services that protect public health, improve public safety, revitalize local economies and enhance learning.
Like most states, Illinois must meet the needs of its residents while closing a significant budget gap and adjusting to a rapidly changing economic landscape. United Way advocates:
Wise, strategic investments to ensure that state government makes adequate appropriations to provide the critical service that communities throughout Illinois depend upon.
Responsible management honoring existing contracts and providing timely reimbursement payments for services provided to our most vulnerable citizens.
Greater Efficiency and Accountability by creating a public/private task force charged with review and study of the public contracting process to develop contract and administrative reforms that increase transparency, utilize cost-saving technologies and engage community service providers as equal partners.
Increasing access to health & human services
It is a UWI goal that all residents have access to the information necessary to be their own advocates and benefit from important community services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, toll-free, 24 hour, information line that connects people in need with health and human services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 takes the burden off the 9-1-1 system. UWI seeks to establish a public/private partnership with state government to make 2-1-1 available to all Illinois residents.
In addition to its work in support of the human services sector and 2-1-1 UWI’s overall agenda will remain flexible to respond to emerging and urgent issues. Federal issues will be monitored in cooperation with the United Way of America’s policy team.