Mark you calendars: Testify at an ISBE Budget Hearing

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Every year, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) gives the public a chance to give input on the current years' budget and ideas for next year.  Every year, Illinois Action for Children encourages our members to attend these hearings and provide either written or oral testimony to the Board. It is just as important to make your voice heard this year as any other.  In the current FY12 budget, the Early Childhood Block Grant, the funding source for Preschool for All and Prevention Initiatives, was cut by 5%, or $17 million.  As a result, nearly 10,000 children around the state have found that there is no preschool program for them to attend this year.  More than 100 providers around the state, both schools districts and community-based organizations lost these funds, along with the services and jobs the funding sustained.  These losses come on top of a previous 10% cut in FY10 and three years of payments delays to providers.  Over the past three fiscal years, early childhood funding has been cut by $55 million and nearly 16,000 children have lost their preschool program. There are three more chances to have your voices heard. October 27, 2011 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Ford Counties Regional Office of Education Robeson Pavilion Room A & B Champaign Public Library 200 W. Green Street Champaign November 1, 2011 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Wheeling School Dist. 21 Administrative Office 999 W. Dundee Rd. Wheeling November 29, 2010 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. James R. Thompson Center Rm. 16-503 100 W. Randolph Chicago The Board needs to hear how important Preschool for All and Prevention Inititatives are to you and the children and families in your area and accross the state.  Illinois Action for Children can help you prepare written and/or oral testimony. For assistance, please contact Samir Tanna at 773/697-6134.

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