CSH Speak Up advocates in Illinois traveled to the state capitol in Springfield to meet with their representatives as part of the Illinois Supportive Housing Providers Association 2019 Advocacy Day.
For many of our 2019 Speak Up advocates in training, this was their first experience with direct outreach to policymakers and their staff members. Having attended an Advocacy Day Orientation and Advocacy 101 training, our advocates were eager and well prepared to press for $39.9 million to be allocated in the FY2020 Illinois State budget.
This budget request would continue existing services to approximately 16,500 individuals in Illinois, help providers restore the programs and personnel lost during the state’s long budget impasse, and address a portion of unmet needs.
The trip to Springfield also included networking opportunities with legislators and other supportive housing residents from across the state.
