NEWS RELEASE June 17, 2009 Contact: Claire Serdiuk at 312/427-2114 ext. 204 Cell: 312-310-1005

“A Call for Responsible Leadership”: Human services, religious, labor, advocacy groups urge tax increase Groups representing millions of Illinoisans deliver letter to governor, legislative leaders; condemn “morally irresponsible political games”

At a news conference today in the Chicago Loop, an unprecedented array of human services providers, religious and advocacy groups and labor unions joined in issuing what they termed “A Call for Responsible Leadership”—a letter urging the governor and legislative leaders to approve a state budget with sufficient revenue to fund essential public services and prevent devastating loss.

The groups, which together serve or represent millions of Illinois residents, were convened by Citizen Action/Illinois, the state’s largest public-interest advocacy organization.

“We believe a budget is a moral document. Much more than numbers on a page, it reflects our state’s obligation to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people,” Citizen Action/Illinois co-director William McNary said. “It is unconscionable that politicians would put posturing before those priorities.

“The Illinois General Assembly has given us a broken budget, $9 billion out of balance, that if it stands will destroy public services and tens of thousands of jobs,” McNary said. “By our unity front today we are saying very clearly that this is not acceptable. Our organizations, clients, constituents and members number in the millions. We reject this broken budget, we urge a responsible solution that reflects Illinois values, and we call on lawmakers to be leaders. Raising taxes is never easy, but right now it is the right thing to do.”

Speakers at the news conference to announce the joint “Call for Responsible Leadership” included representatives of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Illinois Action for Children, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, the Jane Addams Senior Caucus and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.

Immediately following the news event, leaders of the participating groups proceeded to the State of Illinois Center to personally deliver signed copies of the “Call for Responsible Leadership” to the offices of Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton and Minority Leader Christine Radogno, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Minority Leader Tom Cross. The delivery coincided with a previously scheduled budget meeting between the governor and legislative leaders.

NOTE: Full text of “A Call for Responsible Leadership” and complete list of signatories follow on successive pages

###

27 East Monroe Suite 1100 ••• Chicago, IL 60603 ••• P: 312.427.2114 ••• F: 312.379.0313 www.citizenaction-il.org