This update is made possible by all of our coalition partners who have made a partner pledge this year.  Donate here. What are the benefits to being a contributing partner?  Click here to find out.

We are watching two major pieces of legislation at the federal level: 1) The “INVEST in America Act” (Senate Amendment 2137 to H.R.3684), which is authorizing legislation for a massive infrastructure spending package; here is a summary of its major provisions from Independent Sector, and 2) the Better Care Better Jobs Act (H.R.4131 and S.2210), which has significant funding and implications for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). In other national news, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago and Howard University conducted a study about the impact of the COVID pandemic on young people, which shows “alarming levels” of housing and food insecurity during the pandemic, especially among young BILPOC. At the state level, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability published its FY22 State Budget Analysis and the the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget released its annual Fiscal Scan of Illinois Public Investments in Children and Youth for FY20, with support from coalition partner Children’s Home and Aid. Another coalition partner, Voices for Illinois Children, released the annual 2021 Illinois Kids Count Report, which includes measures of multidimensional poverty and concludes with policy recommendations for state officials.  Image credit: Children's Home and Aid

Join Illinois Partners for our next virtual panel, August 23rd at 2 PM: Preparing for the end of the Eviction Moratorium: Resources for Human Service Providers. This discussion will provide insight and recommendations for community-based providers to support their clients who are at risk of losing their homes. We will discuss the implications of the end of the moratorium, including advocacy initiatives to prevent and address homelessness, distribution of rental/mortgage assistance, and legal support for families at risk of eviction. Featured Speakers include: Carolyn Ross, CEO of All Chicago; Adrian Barr, Managing Attorney at Prairie State Legal in Bloomington, IL; and Mary Ellen Ball, CEO of Open Communities. Register for this event here.   Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) is partnering with the state of Illinois to host a free COVID-19 vaccination clinic on August 13-14, 2021, 1:00-4:00 p.m. The mobile clinic will be held at the ICASA Administrative Office at 100 N. 16th Street, Springfield, IL 62703. Advance appointments can be made here; however, drop-ins are also welcome. Please feel free to share this information with friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who may be interested in attending the clinic. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be provided; this vaccine is authorized and recommended for persons age 18 and older.     Shriver Center’s final event in their virtual gala series, Real Change for Communities of Color, will spotlight advocacy to ensure equity as we rebuild from the pandemic and move our country toward long overdue systemic change. Join the insightful conversation with political commentator and strategist Heather McGhee on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 5:30pm. Register for the event here. If you're a coalition partner that would like to have an event, fact sheet, or webinar featured, email [email protected].

PARTICIPATE IN ILLINOIS PARTNERS WORKFORCE SURVEY Illinois Partners is conducting a survey to better understand the challenges facing the health and human service workforce. The study will gather information on organizational revenue and expenses, vacancies, turnover, and wage disparities. We encourage all of our ​partners to participate in this survey, which will require input of finance and human resources personnel. All information collected will be reported in aggregate and kept anonymous. Here is a link to the survey instructions, which includes the survey link, data tracking spreadsheet, and frequently asked questions. The deadline to complete is August 27th.

Congratulations to the Greater Chicago Food Depository for being featured in Food Bank News, the first publication to acknowledge the critical role that food banks and related agencies play in the wellness and livelihood of millions of people living in the United States! In the CEO Interview feature, Kate Maehr shares why and how the organization has embarked on a multi year and multi tiered strategy to build connections with and transfer power and resources to grassroots groups in Chicago neighborhoods. The strategy recognizes and celebrates the key role of the grassroots organizations embedded in the community, including Enlace and New Life Center. The organization’s new approach includes participating in community meetings, inviting grassroots groups to plan and “co-create” solutions, a commitment of $5 million in grants to expand food access in high-priority Black and Latinx neighborhoods, and hiring people who have community organizing skills and/or neighborhood connections.  Read the complete article Why Chicago’s Food Bank Is a Community Organizer Now here.