About Government Affairs
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In order to impact policy and decision making as it relates to the Jewish community, JUF’s Government Affairs Program develops and maintains working relationships with key government officials.What’s New @ Government Affairs?
Important legislation is moving in our state and national capitols.
- Springfield: Governor Pat Quinn addressed a joint session of the General Assembly on June 30th to urge that a fiscal year budget be passed that does not decimate services to seniors, children, disabled persons or veterans. His remarks were offered to legislators in both chambers, but the message was primarily to the House members and caucus leaders who, in his view, are preventing a full and fair budget from passing. Governor Quinn promised to veto any state budget that was balanced by substantially reducing services and programs to the vulnerable residents of Illinois. The legislature had been expected to adjourn until the fall Veto Session with the insufficient budget in place. The Governor’s remarks may cause the General Assembly to stay in Springfield for an extra day or two to revisit revenues and spending, or the legislature may pass the "Doomsday" budget and invite the governor’s veto. If a veto occurs, the legislature would return in a matter of days to address the state government operations budget of the fiscal year that begins on July 1st.For further information on the current events in Springfield, contact the Springfield office at 217-753-1010.
- Washington: The Government Affairs Committee Mission to Washington, DC was held on May 19-20, 2009. Chairman David T. Brown led a massive group of 46 lay leaders, volunteers, professionals, and staff to meet with the entire Illinois delegation and key staff in the Obama White House. You can find our exciting agenda here. Congress has shifted its focus to health care reform, where several bills are being juggled to overhaul the system. We are monitoring the situation closely to see how health care reform will affect our affiliate agencies. For more information on the current events in Congress, contact the Washington office at 202-466-7090.
What We Do
- Work with health and human service organizations to develop partnerships and alliances that benefit the Jewish community
- Orchestrate and present legislative initiatives on behalf of vulnerable populations in Chicago
- Collaborate with JCRC on community relations and international issues
- Promote public-private partnerships to strengthen combined advocacy
