Take Action
Become an advocate for social justice with Protestants for the Common Good and take action on the following opportunities.
Participate in Faith Focus for a Fair Budget
The Faith Table of the Responsible Budget Coalition invites you to join other faith congregations on September 25–26, 2010 to focus on the state budget crisis through worship, education, and public witness. Through prophetic preaching and teaching, clergy, ministers and other faith leaders across the state will lead their congregations in building awareness and discussing solutions to the Illinois fiscal crisis. An online resource packet provides a range of options to assist the planning for your congregation: action tools, a plan for an adult education session, prayers, songs, biblical commentaries, and reflections. A table of contents provides a complete list of the materials. For more information, contact Laura Dean F. Friedrich LDFriedrich@thecommongood.org, or Courtney Eccles, Courtney@thecommongood.org,
Visit PCG on Facebook and Twitter!
Protestants for the Common Good is on Facebook, and we’d love for you to “Like” us. Use it as a way to keep up to date on events and action alerts, to see interesting news articles and blog posts, and to stay in touch with other fans of PCG. We’d love for you to invite others to join, make comments and post relevant articles or links, and let us know what you think by emailing Michelle at mholder@thecommongood.org! In addition to “liking” our facebook page, for those of you who use Twitter, you can now follow PCG.
Sign the Call to Action for a Responsible Budget
The RESPONSIBLE BUDGET COALITION continues its work to solve Illinois’ budget crisis by raising adequate revenue, preventing harmful cuts to essential services and jobs in the public and private sectors, and pushing for meaningful fiscal reform. During this phase of the campaign, we are talking with community leaders and the general public about issues related to the state budget and the need for a tax increase. We need your voice and your involvement. Please join us! Show your support for this important campaign by signing the call to action petition.
Bring PCG to your Church this Summer and Fall!
Keep PCG staff in mind as you and your church plan adult education forums for the coming seasons. We have a full selection of
Urge Senators Durbin and Burris to Extend TANF Fund
Time is running out, but it’s not too late to advocate for an extension of the Put Illinois to Work and Sprout programs both funded through the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF) that is due to expire on September 30, 2010. Call Senator Richard Durbin (202 224–2152) and Senator Roland Burris (202 224–2854) today and ask both of them to work for the inclusion of the ECF in the “tax extender” bill which will be considered by the U.S. Senate after the August break. The message is simple: “Senator Durbin (Burris), we need the Put Illinois to Work and Sprout programs in Illinois. With these programs thousands of low-income people have jobs, and thousands of school-age children have nutritious meals. Please do all you can to make sure these programs continue. They are good for Illinois families and for the state’s economy.” Please identify yourself as a person of faith or a PCG constituent (or both) when you make your calls or send your e-mails. You can also e-mail their staff: Sara Singleton at sara_singleton@durbin.senate.gov (Durbin) and Eleanor Bastian at eleanor_bastian@burris.senate.gov (Burris). Thank you!
Write Quinn to Preserve Civil Legal Aid Funding
Take a minute to write a letter to Gov. Quinn, urging him to sustain funding for the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation’s civic legal aid. In FY10, civic aid funding was cut by 50% and additional cuts will further cripple the system. Tell Gov. Quinn that all Illinois residents – regardless of income – need access to the justice system, and ask him to preserve the FY11 funding. Visit the IEJF Take Action page to see a draft letter and for more information.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
—Anne Frank
