At the start of 2022, POWER-PAC IL’s Stepping Out of Poverty campaign has a picked up a ton of momentum! Parent leaders are working on key legislative priorities and are busy advocating for these bills in various spaces, playing key roles in meetings throughout the month with legislators and community partners.

We’re happy to share the month’s highlights from these efforts:

In late January, Economic Security for Illinois held a statewide Advocacy Week for expanding the Earned Income Credit, which would put more money in the pockets of families throughout Illinois, including undocumented workers, unpaid caregivers, younger recipients ages 18-24, and older individuals ages 65 and up. Over 40 POWER-PAC IL parents raised their voices to reach out to public officials urging them to pass this legislation. You too can stand with parent leaders – show your support here: bit.ly/2022eic

Parent leaders turned out in full force at State Senator Cristina Pacione-Zayas’ January virtual town hall, in which she voiced her strong support for the passage of long-stalled funding for the statewide Children’s Savings Account program. She invited POWER-PAC IL Co-President Emeritus Rosazlia Grillier to present on the importance of investing in children’s futures. Check out the Town Hall on Facebook!

Donna Carpenter, a leader in the Stepping Out of Poverty and Utilities Affordability Campaigns, was featured in an ABC7 Chicago TV news story speaking out about legislation that will ensure that the Peoples Gas pipeline surcharge doesn’t fall on the backs of low-income residents. “If they can get rid of that surcharge, that would be a tremendous help to my family… we have to be in our homes cold, or decide which days are we going to cook for our families.”

Work is also underway to pass the following bills:

• Expanding the eligibility for families eligible for TANF and allowing TANF-eligible families to keep 100 percent of their child support funds without reducing their TANF benefit
• Permanently eliminating the garnishment of state tax returns for unpaid municipal debt

Keep up the incredible work, POWER-PAC IL/Stepping Out of Poverty Campaign leaders! We remain hopeful for a fruitful, victorious legislative season, and it’s all thanks to your efforts!