East St. Louis Parent Leaders Tackle Child Poverty

by Darius Vinesar | Sep 11, 2024 | East St. Louis, Stepping Out of Poverty

Parent leaders in East St. Louis gathered at a forum hosted by Children’s Advocates for Change to discuss child poverty and potential solutions to address it. Increased funding for public schools, higher-quality education, and higher attendance were some...

Parent Leader Discusses State Child Tax Credit Proposal with WBEZ

by Jacqui Guillen | May 9, 2024 | In the Media, Stepping Out of Poverty

Liliana Olayo, COFI Board Member and Co-Chair of POWER-PAC IL’s Health, Food, and Recess Campaign, spoke to WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal about the proposed state Child Tax Credit. She said, “You have to choose between paying bills, paying your rent, or feeding your family. I...

Parent Leaders Demand a State Child Tax Credit to Help Illinois Families and Governor Voices Support for CTC in Budget Address

by Jacqui Guillen | Feb 22, 2024 | POWER-PAC IL, Stepping Out of Poverty

COFI and POWER-PAC IL parent leaders were up bright and early on Feb. 7 to travel to Springfield, Illinois, to call on elected officials to create a state Child Tax Credit (CTC) for Illinois families. They joined the Economic Security Project, State Representative...

Chicago Sun-Times Mentions COFI for Utility Victory

by Jacqui Guillen | Dec 5, 2023 | POWER-PAC IL, Stepping Out of Poverty, Utilities

On Dec. 4, the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned COFI for its role in winning a major utility victory for Illinois families! On Nov. 16, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approved recommendations from COFI/POWER-PAC IL, the National Consumer Law Center, and Legal Aid...

COFI Board Co-Chair Rosazlia Grillier Speaks Up Against Chicago Overnight Winter Parking Ban

by Jacqui Guillen | Dec 1, 2023 | City of Chicago, In the Media, Stepping Out of Poverty

COFI Board Co-Chair and UPLAN Governing Council member Rosazlia Grillier (Ms. Rose) spoke against Chicago’s overnight winter parking ban and how it financially burdens residents to CBS Chicago. See the excerpt here: “‘Sometimes there’s absolutely no snow at all yet...

COFI and POWER-PAC IL Win Major Utility Victory for Families

by Jacqui Guillen | Nov 30, 2023 | POWER-PAC IL, Stepping Out of Poverty, Utilities

A huge congratulations to POWER-PAC IL’s Stepping Out of Poverty Campaign for organizing and calling out the outlandish rate hike proposals from Peoples Gas, Ameren, and Nicor for nearly a year! On Nov. 16, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) significantly reduced...