Press & Media

SAVINGS TO STATE NEARLY $1M EACH YEAR CHICAGO –  Today the Illinois Senate passed legislation that saves our state nearly $1 million annually, while removing a significant barrier that prevents Illinois’ poorest families from saving money.  HB2262, which passed out of the House with bipartisan support last month, will eliminate the “asset test” in the […]

On Tuesday, May 14th, the Illinois Senate Committee on Licensed Activities and Pensions will hear testimony on growing retirement insecurity in Illinois and a legislative proposal to address it. SB2400, sponsored by Senator Daniel Biss, would create an Automatic IRA program in our state. This is a simple, cost-effective way to increase retirement security for […]

Open a Children’s Savings Account for $5 on Kids Bank Day! The Monroe Foundation is holding an event to help families open up savings accounts for the children and checking accounts for the parents. This event will be in the Legacy Room at 1000 East 87th street, Chicago, IL Meet City of Chicago Treasurer Stephanie […]

CHICAGO—More than half of Illinois private sector workers lack access to retirement savings plans through their jobs, a new report from Woodstock Institute found. The lack of access affects every corner of the state—more than half of private sector workers in every community in Illinois lack access to employment-based retirement savings plans. Download the report […]

Find out where your bank ranks in promoting CRA activities in your community WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Community advocates for bank accountability on foreclosures, and residents of the Wards, from the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 16th, 21st and 34th WHY: Community Reinvestment Organizing Project (COP), of The Monroe Foundation, is hosting a very important community-based training to […]

Springfield, IL – The Illinois House of Representatives State Government Administration Committee will hold a hearing on the need for employment- based retirement savings in Illinois today. More than half of private sector Illinois workers do not have access to an employment-based retirement plan, a forthcoming report by the Illinois Asset Building Group and Woodstock Institute […]

Money Smart Week, in its 10th year, appropriately falls during April’s National Financial Literacy Month. The public awareness campaign stresses the importance of financial literacy and offers free educational seminars from April 21-28. IABG partners across the state are hosting workshop and seminars to help households build their financial stability. Throughout Chicago, Heartland Alliance’s Asset […]

Legislators in the Illinois House overwhelmingly passed a bill to stop lenders who illegally make loans from collecting any amount of an outstanding loan. The bill, HB 3935, targets unlicensed online and out-of-state lenders, who previously have been free from regulation. These lenders offer harmful high-cost, short-term or installment loans that are secured against a […]

Legislation to limit interest on car title loans failed to make it out of House committee this week, a disappointing setback that keeps Illinois in the minority of states allowing predatory lending at triple-digit rates. HB4603 won only five votes in the 21-member Consumer Protection Committee in the Illinois General Assembly. The vote was cast […]