We are so proud of our Board Chair, Sherrie Crabb and her incredible team at Arrowleaf for the work that they are doing in Southern Illinois!

This month, Arrowleaf opened a new “client choice” food pantry in Cairo, Illinois. read more…

We are so excited to welcome to our new Policy and Government Affairs Intern, Kiera Eckhardt! Here is a brief interview to help you get to know her. read more…

The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget’s annually required 5-year financial projection “Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report,” released 11/9/21, contains generally good news for the state budget (compared to earlier dire projections). read more…

The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Mano a Mano, Hana Center and other coalition partners are leading advocacy efforts for Congress to pass a pathway for citizenship for undocumented essential workers, immigrant youth, TPS holders, and their families. read more…

Our Central Illinois Community Organizer and Policy Advocate, Holly Ambuehl, will be joining Forefront as their new Director of Policy. read more…

Congress has been working on two major pieces of infrastructure legislation this fall; one was enacted; the second is still pending Senate action. read more…

Still awaiting Senate passage is the “social” or “human” infrastructure bill, the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). The House of Representatives passed the BBB on 11/19/21 and many coalition partners support some or all of the provisions of the BBB. read more…

We are watching two major pieces of legislation at the federal level: the “INVEST in America Act” and the Better Care Better Jobs Act. read more…

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. read more…