In his annual budget address
this February, Gov. Pat Quinn singled out education as an area that the
state government is not cutting, despite his overall push toward
fiscal austerity.
“I believe in the power of education to create
opportunity in our society,” the governor said. “This is why I have
maintained our basic investment in education, despite extremely hard
times.”
But the budget the Illinois General Assembly sent the
governor includes $857 million or 8.2 percent in state education budget
cuts from fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1. The
cuts will especially impact less wealthy school districts that cannot
turn to local property tax revenue in lieu of reduced state money. Read more »
Thousands of low-income families throughout Illinois could lose food
aid if Congress passes the deep cuts to federal assistance currently
being proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to the
findings of a 
When it comes to providing for children, Illinois has taken some steps forward, but the state’s also taken a few steps back.
The state budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly cuts many
services for low-income children. For example, cuts in early childhood
education could keep thousands of kids from getting a pre-kindergarten
education.
While the interests of big business seem to be very much so on the radar of Springfield politicians, as evidenced by the passage of recent corporate tax break packages, the needs of children — and the impact of passed legislation and cuts on Illinois' youngest residents — may not always be as prevalent in political discussions as it should be. 