Forwarded from Catholic Charities
Restore Cuts to the Poor and Needy in DuPage County
In recent years, DuPage County has reduced dramatically the funds they had previously provided to social service agencies, like Catholic Charities, to assist poor individuals and families. For example, our Hope House emergency shelter lost over $40,000 in funding because of the financial woes of DuPage County. With the passing of the sales tax increase in January, we were hopeful that this would help restore the social service cuts in DuPage County. Now we are hearing that some of the County Board members are not supportive of restoring these cuts. While many think DuPage has no needs, we are painfully aware that there are poor people in DuPage that have need for emergency assistance, rental subsidies, prescription help, food, transitional housing, emergency shelter, counseling and a myriad of other services. Help us restore these services to people in great need!
Thanks so much,
Kathleen McGowan
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet
The following information was provided by DuPage United
Sky-High Property Taxes – Where does all that money go?
The DuPage County Board keeps cutting community services for the poor, disabled, uninsured, and elderly. This just doesn’t seem right! I pay so much in property taxes…where does all that money go??
Distribution of 2006 Real Estate Taxes to Local Taxing Bodies
(Dollars in Millions)
Executive Summary of the 2008 DuPage County Financial and Budget Plan (p. 88)
http://www.dupageco.org/finance/budget2008/ExecutiveSummary.pdf
How much of my tax bill supports the Human Services Department?
Only about $2.17 of a $10,000 real estate tax bill goes to the Human Services Department.
Despite such a minimal investment, the County Board voted in late 2006 to eliminate the Human Service Grant Fund, a $750,000 fund that supported about 45 agencies, such as PADS, People’s Resource Center, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Bridge Communities, Northern IL Food Bank, Hamdard Center , and many more. Access DuPage , which coordinates healthcare for over 8,000 uninsured residents, was also cut, along with the Convalescent Center . Further cuts were made to Human Services in the 2008 budget.
DuPage United 3-3-08
What can be done about cuts to Human Services in DuPage County?
Due to a sales tax increase the county has a new revenue source and we want to make sure critical human services are funded this year. Please call or email your county board member. It takes 3 min or less and can have a real impact.
District 1
Yolanda Campuzano, Bensenville, (630) 342-9993 ycampuzano@dupageco.org
Paul Fichtner, Elmhurst, (630)251-7883 Paul.Fichtner@dupageco.org
Donald Puchalski, Addison, (630) 543-2320 dpuchalski@dupageco.org
District 2
Patrick O’Shea, Lombard, (630) 620-8551 poshea@dupageco.org
Jeff Redick, Elmhurst, (630)607-9681 (cell) jredick@dupageco.org
Brian Sheahan, Elmhurst (630)728-4641 bsheahan@dupageco.org
District 3
Tom Bennington, Downers Grove, (630) 985-6160 tbennington@dupageco.org
Kyle Gilgis, Downers Grove, (630) 969-3857 kgilgis@dupageco.org
Michael McMahon, Hinsdale (630) 261-9000 mmcmahon@dupageco.org
District 4
Grant Eckhoff, Wheaton (630) 510-0660 geckhoff@dupageco.org
JR McBride, Glen Ellyn (630) 790-1040 jmcbride@dupageco.org
Debra Olson, Wheaton, (630) 221-9593 dolson@dupageco.org
District 5
Michael Connelly, Lisle, (630) 247-4782 mconnelly@dupageco.org
James Healy, Naperville (630) 655-6000 jhealy@dupageco.org
Robert Schroeder, Naperville (630) 355-7417 rschroeder@dupageco.org
District 6
Linda Kurzawa, Winfield (630) 234-6682 lkurzawa@dupageco.org
Pam Rion, Bloomingdale, (630) 612-9239 prion@dupageco.org
James Zay, Carol Stream, (630) 876-8681 jzay@dupageco.org
For more information on this issue go to
www.dupageunited.org and or www.dupageco.org
DuPage United, a non-profit, non-partisan organization of congregations (churches, mosques, and synagogues), agencies and associations, is deeply concerned about the impact of these cuts and working to seek viable long-term solutions. DuPage United does not receive any government funding of any kind. If you are interested in learning more and getting involved contact us at (630) 743-9649.
DuPage United 3-3-08
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