Everyone predicted this spring’s state legislative
session would defy description — and, they were right.
Following the biggest changes in decades
to the executive branch and General Assembly, and given the magnitude of the
budget deficit, this was not a hospitable year for an aggressive agenda.
But, the Metropolitan Planning Council believes in
bold plans, and we put significant effort into building new momentum on
education quality and funding reform, anchoring a new state housing policy, and
providing incentives to coordinate transportation and development.
On all three fronts, thanks to some
exciting collaborations, we can claim victory!
Network 21:
Quality Schools for Stronger Communities
built early consensus on a comprehensive package to
achieve school funding, quality and tax reforms.
Our members have used a variety of
strategies.
To build grassroots
support for tough ideas (like breaking the link between where a child lives and
the quality of the education he receives), coalition partners hosted town hall
meetings throughout the state.
Outreach to local media resulted in pieces on the education crisis
created by inaction.
We also
organized the support of key leaders on a $250 increase in the per student
funding foundation level and for investments in early childhood education and we
worked with Ill. Rep. David Miller
(D-Dolton
) and the Office of Management and Budget to broker
agreement on a more accurate way to count children from high poverty homes who
are eligible for additional school aid.
Energized by our work late last year staffing the
gubernatorial transition team on housing, MPC teamed up with Ill. Rep. Julie
Hamos (D-Evanston), Ill. Sen. Jeff Schoenberg (D-Evanston), aides to Gov.
Blagojevich and housing activists to fine tune the
Illinois Housing
Initiative
(HB 2345).
The bill requires the development of a
plan to meet the housing needs of priority populations, and suggests innovative
approaches to encouraging new housing development like pooled funding and
consolidated RFPs.
Support from
legislators for a proactive state housing policy helps jumpstart the promising
direction of new Illinois Housing Development Authority Director Kelly King
Dibble.
This winter, the governor’s staff tapped MPC for
advice on setting criteria for new capital investments.
And, looking forward, we plan to play a
significant role with a task force on regional transportation governance that
will make recommendations by next March.
Exciting challenges, made all the more critical in challenging times.