Gov. Blagojevich's 'Investing in Illinois Families' proposal gathers widespread support from hundreds of religious leaders, educational groups and civic organizations        

[March 31, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- A week of increased momentum and new support for Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's "Investing in Illinois Families" plan wrapped up March 23. Hundreds of individuals and organizations added their names to the growing list of supporters for the governor's proposal to increase funding for education, give every Illinoisan access to affordable health care and bring fairness to the tax system. Groups voiced their support at events in Alton, Chicago, Danville, Decatur, DuQuoin, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island, Rockford and Springfield.

On March 20, dozens of African-American ministers rallied around the governor at First Church of Deliverance on Chicago's South Side to endorse his plan, which they said would provide long overdue help for the members of their congregations. The ministers further underlined their support by pledging to urge their lawmakers to approve the proposed budget.

"The funding proposed by Governor Blagojevich will make sure students are getting the most out of their time in the classroom. I would ask that the General Assembly not hesitate to pass the governor's budget and give our children the educations they deserve," said the Rev. Johnny Miller of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, one of nearly 80 ministers at the event.

Also, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago rallied at the state Capitol to support Blagojevich's Illinois Covered health care plan. Over 150 AIDS advocates gathered during the group's seventh annual Illinois HIV/AIDS Lobby Day, wearing "Super Hero" T-shirts in an effort to encourage legislators to be "superheroes" by passing the governor's plan to expand access to quality, affordable health care to all Illinoisans.

Of the approximately 40,000-42,000 Illinoisans living with HIV/AIDS, about 20,000 are either uninsured or do not have adequate coverage to meet their health care needs. Under Illinois Covered, they would be among the tens of thousands of moderate- and low-income residents who would have access to affordable health coverage once the plan is implemented.

Mark Ishaug, executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, said he is thankful that under the governor's Illinois Covered plan, people living with HIV/AIDS can hope for a better future. "Under his plan, more people can be tested, and those with HIV/AIDS can receive the treatments that are essential to fighting the disease and living longer," Ishaug said. "The bottom line is that the governor's plan will save lives, and I urge the General Assembly to pass Illinois Covered and help slow the spread of HIV/AIDS in Illinois."

In addition, the governor accepted the support of the Chicago Area Project and Illinois Council of Area Projects during their annual Youth and Community Services Recognition Luncheon. The organization will deliver more than 3,000 postcards of support to legislators, urging them to approve Blagojevich's proposed health care plan. David Whitaker, executive director of the Chicago Area Project, expressed his faith in the governor's plan, saying that the governor has led the way in making sure that Illinois is committed to programs that support youth and their families.

In addition, hundreds of health care and education organizations, small-business owners, and private individuals voiced their support for the governor's Investing in Families plan at events in Alton, Chicago, Danville, Decatur, DuQuoin, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island and Rockford.

Recently, Blagojevich's plan was also endorsed by the Illinois Federation of Teachers and the Illinois Education Association. Both groups, representing thousands of teachers and school staff throughout the state, are advocating for the Helping Kids Learn plan to invest an unprecedented $10 billion in schools over the next four years -- nearly three times bigger than any increase in state history. For Illinois' deteriorating schools, the plan will invest $1.5 billion in a capital construction plan for projects to improve and upgrade classrooms and schools so children can learn and teachers can teach in a more conducive environment. In addition, new estimates by the Illinois State Board of Education indicate that the foundation level, or guaranteed minimum amount of state and local funding to schools, in the governor's proposed budget will increase to $6,058. James Dougherty, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said that the Helping Kids Learn proposal is the blueprint needed to give Illinois kids a better future.

Highlights of the governor's plan for fiscal 2008 include:

• A historic Tax Fairness Plan that closes corporate loopholes and gives the middle class the relief it deserves.

• A record new investment of $10 billion in schools over the next four years -- nearly three times bigger than any increase in state history.

• Illinois Covered, an affordable, reliable health care plan to cover the 1.4 million uninsured adults in Illinois and provide assistance to millions of middle-income families and small businesses struggling to keep up with health insurance costs.

• Addressing the state's longtime pension deficit and ensuring secure retirements for thousands of workers by leasing the Illinois Lottery and investing the proceeds toward the pension debt.

• A capital budget to make important investments in schools, roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]