Impact of March 1st Cuts on Middle Class Families, Jobs and Economic Security: Illinois

Unless Congress acts by March 1st, a series of automatic cuts—called the sequester—will take effect that threaten hundreds of thousands of middle class jobs, and cut vital services for children, seniors, people with mental illness and our men and women in uniform.

There is no question that we need to cut the deficit, but the President believes it should be done in a balanced way that protects investments that the middle class relies on. Already, the President has worked with Congress to reduce the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion, but there’s more to do. The President has put forward a balanced plan to not only avoid the harmful effects of the sequester but also to reduce the deficit by more than $4 trillion in total. The President’s plan meets Republicans more than halfway and includes twice as many spending cuts as it does tax revenue from the wealthy.

Unfortunately, many Republicans in Congress refuse to ask the wealthy to pay a little more by closing tax loopholes so that we can protect investments that are helping grow our economy and keep our country safe. By not asking the wealthy to pay a little more, Republicans are forcing our children, seniors, troops, military families and the entire middle class to bear the burden of deficit reduction. The President is determined to cut spending and reduce the deficit in a balanced way, but he won’t stick the middle class with the bill. The President is willing to compromise, but on behalf the middle class he cannot accept a deal that undercuts their economic security.

Our economy is continuing to strengthen but we cannot afford a self-inflicted wound from Washington. Republicans should compromise and meet the President in the middle. We cannot simply cut our way to prosperity, and if Republicans continue to insist on an unreasonable, cuts-only approach, Illinois risks paying the price.

2.1 Million Member National Sierra Club Joining Community Action Fight to Save Home Weatherization

David Bradley, Executive Director, National Community Action Foundation announced today, "We are very pleased to learn the 2.1 million member national Sierra Club is joining our fight to save a viable Weatherization program. It is the first major environmental group to put the program's well-being on the to-do list for a vast grassroots network of activists. We will continue to work with other environmental organizations that might put W.A.P.'s funding crisis on their action agenda, too.

The Sierra Club goal is the same as NCAF's, a base funding of $300 million for W.A.P. Also, they are helping make the case that the W.A.P. budget is a barometer of the fairness of the Administration's energy policies; at present, the White House supports billions of dollars in tax incentives directed to families that can update their homes, windows and equipment, but less than the 2008 funding level for W.A.P."

See the grassroots campaign here: http://bit.ly/14EzKMY

CEDA Demonstrates Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies at Chicago Residence

Tuesday, October 30, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Marsha A. Belcher

312.260.9854 office
312.523.5657 mobile

CEDA Demonstrates Energy Saving Retrofit Technologies at Chicago Residence
Weatherization Measures Demonstrated at South Side Residence on National Weatherization Day

CHICAGO - October 30, 2012. To recognize National Weatherization Day, representatives from Illinois’ community action network will join CEDA President/CEO Patricia Doherty-Wildner and Interim CEDA Weatherization Director Ethel Brown in viewing retrofits made to a single family home on the city’s south side. The updates made through the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, will improve the energy efficiency of the property and increase energy savings. Attendees will include: Larry Dawson, deputy director and John Knox, assistant deputy director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Energy Assistance; Kenneth Gilkes, from the office of Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.  2^nd District; State Rep. Bob Rita, 28^th District; and Diane Turner, representing Carrie Austin, Alderwoman for the 34th Ward.
 

“Home Weatherization works for our communities.  This program provides permanent solutions to reduce the energy burden on families by installing cost-effective, energy-efficient materials and services,” said Pat Doherty-Wildner, CEDA president and CEO.
 

Featured in the demonstration will be a new ventilation standard, ASHRAE 62.2, loose fill, and dense pack cellulose insulation in the attic and walls. The 62.2 standard looks at the home’s capacity to remove contaminants (including moisture) from the bath and kitchen.  Bathrooms and kitchens are recognized as sources of poor indoor air quality.
 

“DCEO is a proud partner in this effort to help Illinois families live safely in their homes,” Dawson said. “Through Illinois’ home weatherization program, we’ve been able to help tens of thousands of homeowners reduce their long-term energy consumption and realize significant savings in their energy bills, while improving their overall quality of life.”
 

Annually, CEDA, other community action agencies and energy conservation groups nationwide observe the month of October as Weatherization Month. Weatherization Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements made to help improve the lives of thousands of families.

###

 

CEDA is the nation’s largest Community Action Agency serving more than 240,000 individuals annually and operating over 30 programs throughout Cook County.