Chicago – Community members representing seniors, health care workers, child care providers and more met at Bright Star Church of God In Christ Church in Bronzeville tonight to discuss the impact of the state’s growing state budget crisis and its affect on working families with State Representative Will Burns. The Campaign for Illinois’ Future – the broad coalition of community, advocacy and labor organizations that hosted the event – is calling on state lawmakers to protect vital public services in the state by passing a fair tax plan that generates significant new revenue while emphasizing tax fairness.

“Our state cannot cut its way out of this crisis without hurting working families and critical health care in the state,” said Dolly Nash, a home care worker from Chicago. “We’re counting on our elected officials to do the right thing for our future – pass a fair income tax increase that will put Illinois on track to recover without hurting those who are already suffering.”

The state’s estimated $12.4 billion budget deficit and unprecedented payment delays have already left many families struggling to get the quality health care, education, and vital public services they count on in tough economic times. Budget cuts such as those proposed in the FY10 budget would put services for these families in greater jeopardy while threatening critical workforces throughout the state and doing little to solve the structural deficit.

“With unemployment and foreclosure rates rising, families are struggling every day to stay in their homes and keep food on the table. Now is not the time to cut the valuable public services they depend on,” said Denise Dixon, director of Action Now. “Illinois children and families should not have to carry the burden of getting the state out of its financial mess. That’s why we need a fair income tax increase that will protect these families now and in the future.”

The Campaign for Illinois’ Future launched its statewide effort to educate Illinois voters and lawmakers about what is at stake for working families in the FY10 budget on March 19th in Springfield. The coalition is engaging in an aggressive plan to reach out to Illinois communities through town hall meetings, direct mail, phone banks, community forums, door-to-door canvassing and e-organizing throughout the legislative session.