Advocacy Tools
Tired of standing on the sidelines? Do you want to change something in your community but don't know how to get started?
It truly takes a village to work toward change. Whether you are a human service provider, consumer, or simply a passionate individual who understands that our communities are healthier and safer when residents have access to bedrock public services, YOU can make a difference.
Illinois Partners' toolbox is designed to start you on the path to be effective advocates and organizers.
Don't know your elected officials or aren't sure?
Find out who your legislators are here.
Click Here for a complete list of State Legislators.
Click Here for a district-by-district map breakdown of Illinois House Seats.
Raise Your Voice With Local Media
Click Here for Letter to the Editor Template - February 2013
Visit Elected Officials
Tell the legislators what's important to you and your community. Call, schedule a meeting, or send a fax.
Click Here for Meeting with Legislator/Elected Official Worksheet
Click Here for Script to Tell your Legislator "No Cuts to Human Services"
Click Here for Script to Make an Appointment with your Legislator
Click Here for Sample Agenda for Meeting with your Legislator
Illinois Partners for Human Service continues to meet with our state's legislators to have open and honest dialogue around important issues and changes to the human services sector, and how they impact Illinois residents to whom service is provided.
When meeting with your legislator, you may find these documents helpful. The first is a fact sheet on how human services have been seriously cut since FY2009. The second provides suggestions on how to describe your programs and how they help their residents. The third is a revenue fact sheet.
Click Here for Fact Sheet: Human Services Have Been Cut
Click Here for "Making the Case: Documenting Outcomes" Worksheet
Click Here for Illinois Partners Revenue Fact Sheet
Testimony
Occasionally, both Illinois Partners staff and our member organizations are called upon and encouraged to provide written and oral testimony before a variety of different governmental bodies. Please see the following documents from our Executive Director and use them to help craft your testimony:
Click Here for Budgeting for Results Commission Public Hearing: September 2012
Click Here for House Human Services Appropriations Committee: April 2012
Click Here for Budgeting for Results Commission Public Hearing: October 2011
For instructions on how to submit witness slips, please click here.
Human Services Commission
Please continue your outreach to your local legislators. Below are documents to help with your local advocacy.
Click Here for Human Service Recommendations to Protect the Sector
Click Here to see why Illinois can't afford to lose $600 Million in FY12 Budget Revenues
Click Here to see how to maximize reasonable existing revenue to reduce harmful budget cuts WITHOUT new taxes
Investigate The Issues And Stay Informed
The Three “Ws:” “What” are human services? “Why” are they critical to the community as well as cost effective? “Who” uses them?
Click Here to see Why Human Services Matter
Help Spread The Word
What is Community Based Organizing?
Click Here to see the Fundamentals of Community Based Organizing
Internet Resources
Click Here for the State of Illinois Website
Click Here to find your local Legislators
Click Here for the National Council of Nonprofits Website