EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
Unemployment Down to 4.4%: The unemployment rate in Illinois has declined from 7.2% to 4.4% since 1993. 690,700 New Jobs: 690,700 new jobs have been created in Illinois since 1993 -- an average of 109,058 jobs per year, compared to an average of just 26,800 jobs per year in the previous administration. 657,200 New Private Sector Jobs: Since 1993, 657,200 new private sector jobs have been created in Illinois-an average of 103,768 jobs per year, compared to an average of just 18,700 private sector jobs per year in the previous administration. 38,100 New Manufacturing Jobs: 38,100 new manufacturing jobs have been created in Illinois since 1993 -- an average of 6,016 jobs per year. In contrast, an average of 12,900 jobs were lost each year under the previous administration. 47,500 New Construction Jobs: 47,500 construction jobs have been created in Illinois since 1993 -- an average of 7,500 jobs per year. In contrast, an average of 2,725 construction jobs were lost each year during the previous administration. 430,000 Have Received a Raise: Approximately 158,000 Illinois workers benefited from an increase in the minimum wage-from $4.25 to $4.75 -- on October 1, 1996. They, along with about 272,000 more, received an additional raise-from $4.75 to $5.15 -- on September 1, 1997. Home Ownership Has Increased in Illinois: Home ownership in Illinois has increased from 62.5% to 67.8% since the fourth quarter of 1993. Home Building Up 3.3%: Home building in Illinois has increased by an average of 3.3% per year since 1993, after decreasing over 4.8% per year during the previous administration. Poverty Has Fallen: Nationally, the poverty rate has fallen from 15.1% in 1993 to 13.3% in 1997. In Illinois, the poverty rate has fallen from 13.6% in 1993 to 11.2% in 1997--down 2.4% under President Clinton. [Census Bureau] A $500 Child Tax Credit to Help Families Raising Children: To help make it easier for families to raise their children, the balanced budget included a $500 per-child tax credit for children under 17. Thanks to President Clinton, the balanced budget delivers a child tax credit to 1,163,000 families in Illinois. Over $25,000 of Reduced Federal Debt for Every Family of Four: The national debt will be $1.7 trillion lower in FY99 than projected in 1993 -- that's $25,000 less debt for each family of four in Illinois this year. 5.2% Growth in Total Bank Loans and Leases: Illinois has seen a 5.2% average growth rate in total bank loans and leases per year since 1993. In contrast total bank loans and leases fell over 3.1% during the previous administration. 5.7% Growth in Commercial and Industrial Loans and Leases: Since 1993, Illinois has experienced a 5.7% annual growth rate in commercial and industrial loans and leases. In contrast, commercial and industrial loans and leases fell over 7.0% during the previous administration. EXPANDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION
Nearly 35,000 Children in Head Start: Nearly 35,000 Illinois children were enrolled in Head Start in 1998. In FY99, Illinois will receive $191.9 million in Head Start funding, an increase of $74.1 million over 1993. More High-Quality Teachers With Smaller Classes for Illinois' Schools: Thanks to President Clinton, the final FY99 budget provides for the first year of the President's new initiative to hire 100,000 new, well-prepared teachers, to reduce class sizes in the early grades to a national average of 18. Illinois receives $50.1 million in 1999 to hire about 1,289 new public school teachers. And, under President Clinton's proposal, Illinois would receive $56 million in FY2000 to support a total of 1,522 teachers. Nearly $20 Million in Goals 2000 Funding: This year [FY99], Illinois receives $19.9 million in Goals 2000 funding. This money is used to raise academic achievement by raising academic standards, increasing parental and community involvement in education, expanding the use of computers and technology in classrooms, and supporting high-quality teacher professional development. Over $18 Million for Technology Literacy: This year [FY99], Illinois receives over $18 million for the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund which helps communities and the private sector ensure that every student is equipped with the computer literacy skills needed for the 21st century. $326.3 Million for Students Most in Need: Illinois receives $326.3 million in Title I Grants (to Local Education Agencies) providing extra help in the basics for students most in need, particularly communities and schools with high concentrations of children in low-income families [FY99]. $269.1 Million in Pell Grants: This year [FY99], Illinois will receive $269.1 million in Pell Grants for low-income students going to college, an additional $12.5 million over last year. With this increase, a total of 144,700 Illinois students will benefit. Expanded Work-Study To Help More Students Work Their Way Through College: The FY99 budget includes a significant expansion of the Federal Work Study program. Illinois will receive $36.9 million in Work-Study funding in 1999 to help Illinois students work their way through college. Nearly 3,700 Have Served in Illinois through AmeriCorps: Since the National Service program began in 1993, 3,685 AmeriCorps participants have earned money for college while working in Illinois's schools, hospitals, neighborhoods or parks. [through 11/98] Tuition Tax Credits in Balanced Budget Open the Doors of College and Promote Lifelong Learning: The balanced budget included both President Clinton's $1,500 HOPE Scholarship to help make the first two years of college as universal as a high school diploma and a Lifetime Learning Tax Credit for college juniors, seniors, graduate students and working Americans pursuing lifelong learning to upgrade their skills. This 20% tax credit will be applied to the first $5,000 of tuition and fees through 2002 and to the first $10,000 thereafter. 296,000 students in Illinois will receive a HOPE Scholarship tax credit of up to $1,500. 363,000 students in Illinois will receive the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit. [fully phased-in FY2000 estimate] Expanded Job Training to Illinois' Dislocated Workers: Thanks to President Clinton, the FY99 budget includes a significant expansion in the dislocated worker program. Illinois will receive $39.7 million in 1999 to help 23,530 of Illinois' dislocated workers get the training and reemployment services they need to return to work as quickly as possible. FIGHTING CRIME AND VIOLENCE
Crime Falls 9% in Illinois: Since 1992, serious crime in Illinois has fallen 9%. Violent crime and property crime have also declined 10% and 9% respectively. In Illinois' cities, robbery has fallen 34% in Chicago and 28% in Springfield. Murder has fallen 19% in Chicago. [1992 and 1997 Uniform Crime Reports] Juvenile Arrests Down in Illinois: Illinois's juvenile property crime arrests have decreased 45% between 1992 and 1997. [FBI, Uniform Crime Report, 1992 and 1997] 4,922 More Police: The President's 1994 Crime Bill has funded 4,922 new police officers to date in communities across Illinois. [through 7/99] Chicago Will Receive Targeted Funding to Hire More Community Police: Chicago was selected as a pilot city for the President's new effort to target high crime neighborhoods. The pilot program will provide full funding for new officers by waiving the usual matching requirements. Chicago will deploy new officers to help meet the unique needs of its community, such as combating gangs or targeting drug "hot spots." Reducing Crime with Drug Courts: Working to reduce drug-related crime in Illinois, the Clinton Administration has awarded Drug Court grants to the communities of Night, Kankakee, Peoria, Rockford, Chicago, and Cook County. The Administration had previously awarded grants to a number of Illinois communities including: Decatur, Joliet, Wheaton, Bloomington, St. Charles, Markham and Woodstock. Drug courts use the coercive power of the criminal justice system to combine drug testing, sanctions, supervision and treatment to push nonviolent, drug-abusing offenders to stop using drugs and committing crimes. Over $8.5 Million to Combat Domestic Violence: Through the Violence Against Women Act, Illinois received $8.56 million in federal funds in FY98 to establish more women's shelters and bolster law enforcement, prosecution and victims' services. Over $2.5 Million in Grants for Battered Women: In FY98, Illinois received over $2.5 million in HHS's Family Violence Prevention Program grants to assist women and children fleeing domestic abuse, an additional $435,200 increase over FY97. $18.6 Million to Keep Drugs & Violence Out of Illinois Schools: Illinois receives $18.6 million in FY99 for the Safe & Drug Free Schools Program, which invests in school security and drug prevention programs. MOVING ILLINOIS RESIDENTS FROM WELFARE TO WORK
270,636 Fewer People on Welfare: There are 270,636 fewer people on welfare in Illinois now than there were at the beginning of 1993 -- a 40% decrease. [through 12/98] Child Support Collections Up 62%: Child support collections have been increased by over $114 million-or nearly 62% -- in Illinois since FY92. [through FY98] Encouraging Responsible Choices-Preventing Teen Pregnancy in Illinois: Since 1993, President Clinton and Vice President Gore have supported innovative and promising teen pregnancy prevention strategies, with significant components of the strategy becoming law in the 1996 Personal Responsibility Act. The law requires unmarried minor parents to stay in school and live at home or in a supervised setting; encourages "second chance homes" to provide teen parents with the skills and support they need; and provides $50 million a year in new funding for state abstinence education activities. Efforts are making a difference, adolescent pregnancy rates and teen abortion rates are declining. And between 1992 and 1997 teen birth rates declined 14% in Illinois. $93.7 Million for Illinois Welfare-to-Work: In 1998, Illinois received $48.7 million in Federal welfare-to-work state formula grants (the state matched $24.3 million in funding), helping Illinois welfare recipients get and keep jobs. In addition, $20.7 million in competitive grants were awarded to Illinois localities to support innovative welfare-to-work strategies. Part of the President's comprehensive efforts to move recipients from welfare to work, this funding was included in the $3 billion welfare to work fund in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. Helping People Get to Work: Through the Access to Jobs initiative, the Clinton-Gore Administration is working with communities across the country to design transportation solutions to help welfare recipients and other low-income workers get to and from work. Chicago, Dupage County, and Rosiclare have received a total of $2.3 million this year to fund innovative transit projects. INVESTING IN ILLINOIS'S HEALTH
Health Care for Uninsured Children: The balanced budget included the largest single investment in health care for children since the passage of Medicaid in 1965 -- an unprecedented $24 billion over five years to cover as many as five million children throughout the nation. This investment guarantees the full range of benefits-from checkups to surgery -- that children need to grow up strong and healthy. It ensures that prescription drugs, vision, hearing, and mental health coverage now offered at the state level are extended to millions of uninsured children. To expand health coverage to more uninsured children in Illinois the balanced budget provided $123 million in 1998. This compares to the 1995 Republican plan vetoed by President Clinton that would have denied health coverage to 92,300 children in Illinois. Helping Over 236,000 Illinois Women and Children with WIC: The Clinton Administration is committed to full funding in the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). In FY98, Illinois received $143.8 million in total WIC grant funding, helping 236,700 women, infants and children in need receive health and food assistance, 10,800 more than in 1994. More Toddlers Are Being Immunized: As a result of the President's 1993 Childhood Immunization Initiative, childhood immunization rates have reached an historic high. According to the CDC,by 1996, 90% or more of America's toddlers received the most critical doses of each of the routinely recommended vaccines-surpassing the President's 1993 goal. In Illinois in 1997, 95% of two-year olds received the vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; 89% received the vaccine for polio; 89% received the vaccine for measles, and 92% received the vaccine for Haemophilus influenzae B, the bacteria causing a form of meningitis. Increased Funding for Ryan White by $149.4 Million: Between 1993 and 1998, Illinois communities received $149.4 million in Ryan White formula and other HIV/AIDS program funds. This funding provides people living with HIV and AIDS medical and support services, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program which helps those without insurance obtain much needed prescription drugs. [HHS, Health Resources and Services Administration, 12/98] Tobacco Plan Will Cut Smoking and Premature Deaths by 41% in Illinois: The Clinton Administration's tobacco proposal, combined with the recently enacted state tobacco settlements, will cut youth smoking and resulting premature deaths 41% in Illinois by 2004. Between 2000 and 2004, 156,700 of Illinois's youth will be kept from smoking and 50,100 will be spared a premature tobacco-related death. [Treasury Dept., 2/99] 6,220,000 Americans in Illinois Cannot Be Assured They Have Patient Protections: Even if Illinois enacted all the protections in the Patients' Bill of Rights, 6,220,000 people in Illinois cannot be assured they have the comprehensive patient protections recommended by the President's Advisory Commission. This is because the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) may preempt state-enacted protections. That is why the President has called on Congress to pass a federally enforceable patients' bill of rights so that everyone enrolled in managed care may have a basic set of protections. Notably, 3,120,000 Illinois women are in ERISA health plans and are therefore not necessarily protected. Women are particularly vulnerable without these protections because they are greater users of health care services, they make three-quarters of the health care decisions for their families, and they have specific health care needs addressed by a patients' bill of rights. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
8 Toxic Waste Sites Cleaned Up: Since 1993, the EPA has completed 8 Superfund toxic waste cleanups in Illinois. The sites are located in Taylorville, Pembroke Township, Winnebago, LaSalle, Quincy, Marshall, Warrenville and Wauconda [through 6/99]. This is twice the number of sites cleaned up in Illinois during the previous two administrations combined. $28.7 Million in Safe Drinking Water Funding: This year [FY99], thanks to President Clinton, Illinois will receive $25.9 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds to provide low-interest loans to municipalities to build, improve, and prevent pollution of drinking water systems. In addition, Illinois will receive $2.8 million in Public Water Supply Supervision grants to help monitor drinking water quality and enforce health standards. Revitalizing Brownfields in Illinois: As part of the Clinton-Gore Administration's efforts to clean up Brownfields, the EPA has awarded grants to counties and communities in Illinois-Chicago, East St. Louis, Calumet City, Canton, East Moline, Waukegan, and Cook County-for environmental clean-up and economic revitalization. In addition, Brownfields grants will go to West Central Municipal Conference and the State of Illinois, which will select sites for further action. These projects are intended to jump-start local clean-up efforts by providing funds to return unproductive, abandoned, contaminated urban properties to productive use. SPEARHEADING URBAN RENEWAL EFFORTS
Revitalizing Illinois' Communities: Chicago was designated an Empowerment Zone in December 1994 and was awarded $100 million to create more jobs, housing, and economic opportunity for city residents. As part of this project, First Chicago has initiated a $100,000 pilot program to help 75 to 100 qualified families buy their first homes. Additionally, East St. Louis and Springfield were both designated Enterprise Communities, and were awarded $3 million each for similar job creation efforts. In 1999, East St. Louis was designated a New Urban Empowerment Zone and Ullin was named a New Rural Empowerment Zone. Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Will Help Develop 5,800 To 7,000 New Affordable Housing Units in Illinois Over the Next 5 Years: Last year, the President and Vice President pushed for a 40-percent expansion in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. This year, the President and Vice President will try again to enact tax incentives to develop affordable housing. In Illinois alone, this proposal would mean an additional 5,800 - 7,000 quality rental housing units for low-income American families during the next five years. PROVIDING DISASTER RELIEF
$609 Million in Federal Emergency Assistance: Since 1993, Illinois has received $609 million in disaster relief. [FEMA, 12/98] EXPANDING FUNDS FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT
Over $4 Billion in Federal Highway Aid: Since 1993, Illinois has received over $4 billion in federal highway aid. Included in this funding is $41.7 million for emergency relief in response to ntural disasters and $596,800 for scenic byways. These funds have helped generate 174,578 jobs. [through FY98] Over $490 Million in Aviation Funds: From FY93-FY98 Illinois received over $490 million in Airport Improvement Program funds to help build and renovate airports, and, when necessary, to provide funds for noise abatement to improve the quality of life for residents who live near airports. Approximately $1.8 Billion in Transit Funds: Since 1993, Illinois has received approximately $1.8 billion in Federal Transit Funding. Major projects include: $77 million to Metra (the commuter rail division of the Northeaster Illinois Regional Transportation Authority) for the North Central Commuter Rail project. This project, the first new commuter rail service in the Chicago area since the 1920s, opened on August 18, 1996; a $2.8 million Livable Communities grant to the CTA approved in May 1995 to assist in the rehabilitation of the Tech/35th Street station on the CTA's Green Line. The station is located in Chicago's Empowerment Zone. Saving Lives and Property: In 1997 the United States Coast Guard saved 14 lives and over $6.7 million in property in Illinois.
Last Updated July 1999
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