Press & Media
Media Contact: Amy Eisenstein
FIAI Coalition Manager
aeisenstein@heartlandalliance.org|630-878-9701Latest Press Releases
Chicago Ordinance Would Protect Against Predatory Tax Preparers
A Chicago ordinance that targets predatory tax preparers will help low-income workers keep more of their income — hopefully before this tax season ends. The regulations zero in on businesses that include hidden fees, have unfair payment rules and steer Chicagoans unfamiliar with the tax filing process to more expensive products. The ordinance is being […]
Read moreIllinois Ranked 32nd in the Country for Asset Poverty
According to 2012 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, asset poverty is on the rise in Illinois. The Scorecard, released today by our national asset building partners at the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), reports that 1 in 4 Illinois residents has almost no savings or other assets to help them stay afloat in a financial crisis. […]
Read moreThe Illinois State EITC Doubles
Yesterday, Governor Quinn signed into law a bill that will doubles the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) over a two year period and boosts the personal exemption by $50 to $2,050. The bill also ties the credit to the inflation rate. Currently, the Illinois EITC is at 5% of the federal EITC. This new […]
Read moreThe 2011 Report on Illinois Poverty is Now Interactive
Social IMPACT Research Center The Social IMPACT Research Center has launched a new interactive poverty data portal to complement the recently released 2011 Report on Illinois Poverty. This interactive website allows you to more easily access county-level data related to poverty, employment, education, and assets. We hope that the site will empower advocates, impacted community […]
Read moreA Look at the New Supplemental Poverty Measure
November 15, 2011 Jenny Clary Social Impact Research Center On November 7, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released the Research Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), developed based on recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Panel on Poverty and Family Assistance. The Supplemental Poverty Measure is an effort to build on the current federal poverty […]
Read moreNew Utility Assistance Program Rolls Out
November 10, 2011 Lucy Mullany For decades, advocates and community based organizations urged adoption of a percentage of income payment plan (PIPP) as the solution to the affordability crisis facing low income households that pay utility bills. Last year, Governor Quinn signed legislation adopting PIPP and in September 2011 we began to see this new […]
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