Dear Advocates:  This is the letter the BFBS Coalition is faxing to every member of the Illinois House of Representatives regarding support of HB 174 as amended by the Senate. 

We urge YOU to join us by contacting your Representative(s) with the same message.

June  2009

Dear Representative,

The Better Funding forBetter Schools Coalition, along with the undersigned organizations, strongly supports HB 174 as amended by the Senate,  which addresses critical issues for Illinois’ families and students.  The bill will:

  • Increase the Illinois personal income tax from 3% to 5%;
  • Expand the sales tax to include services already taxed by the states around us;
  • Increase Property Tax relief  for homeowners;
  • Double the tuition tax credit to $1,000;
  • Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to offset any tax increase on the working poor; and
  • Provide new revenue to K-16 education, along with educational reforms , including increased accountability, enhanced science, technology and math programs, and teacher mentoring.

We are sending this letter to every member of the Illinois House of Representatives.  We are asking you to indicate support of HB174 as amended by the Senate, by signing and faxing this letter to the Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition at 847-985-5314.  We will, in turn, present all the letters we receive from Representatives to Speaker Madigan. 

Please return your response no later than July 1, 2009.

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Quinn, Chair

Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition

Illinois PTA

League of Women Voters of Illinois

Lutheran Advocacy Illinois

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois

Neighbors for Good Schools

Protestants for the Common Good

Southern Cooperative Organization for Public Education (SCOPE)

Sunnyside School District

Voices for Illinois Children

Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice

Individual coalition members supporting this bill can be found by contacting the coalition.

______     YES, I support HB174, as amended by the Senate.

The Honorable ________________________________________   House District __________________

The BFBS Coalition is made up of both advocacy organizations and agencies as well as individuals who are dedicated to ensuring a quality education for all Illinois children by improving the way public schools are funded.  For a complete list of Coalition members, please visit our web site, www.betterfundingforbetterschools.com.

For further information contact Coalition Chair Barb Quinn by clicking this email address link.