[Bookstoprisoners] Your IMC needs help - our funding from the Illinois Arts Council is threatened!

[Danielle Chynoweth]

The Illinois Arts Council contributed $30,000 to the UC-IMC last year.  2006
was a critical year for us - and we survived in large part to this generous
grant from the IAC.

We applied for funds again this year, but our application is now jeopardized
by a 30% cut to the Illinois Arts Council in the governor's budget.
Please take
action now<http://capwiz.com/artsusa/il/issues/alert/?alertid=10235401&type=ML&show_alert=1>by
sending a message to the Governor requesting that IAC funding be
restored to the $23.2 million approved by the Illinois General Assembly on
August 10th.  It only takes a few minutes and will mean A LOT to our local
IMC.

Read more and send a
message<http://capwiz.com/artsusa/il/issues/alert/?alertid=10235401&type=ML&show_alert=1>.
Talking points will be offered on the action form.  If you have time, feel
free to add a sentence like:

"Our local Community Media and Arts Center received funding from the IAC in
2006.  These funds proved essential for our ability to provide a venue for
local stories, art, and music reflecting under-represented voices and
perspectives." + feel free to add your story - STORIES ARE POWERFUL.

thanks!
Danielle
UC IMC Finance Working Group

thanks!
Danielle
**
P.S. Here are more details:

*Governor's Budget Slashes Funding for the Arts*
ACT NOW: Urge Lawmakers to Restore Funding for the Arts
 Arts advocates must send a powerful message to Governor Rod Blagojevich,
Senate President Emil Jones, House Speaker Michael Madigan, and other state
lawmakers that the arts are not pork!

The Governor's FY08 spending plan calls for a dramatic 30% cut (over $7
million) to the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) budget. This decrease in funding
will undoubtedly have a devastating impact to the arts statewide and
significantly reduce the funds available for IAC grant programs.
Furthermore, the Governor completely eliminated the Arts and Foreign
Language grant program through the Illinois State Board of Education
(ISBE).

This dangerous decision will have very negative implications for all the
people of Illinois. Support from the Illinois Arts Council is crucial to the
success of artists, arts organizations, entities providing arts programming
throughout the state. Strategic investments made by the Illinois Arts
Council to community theaters, dance studios, schools, local festivals,
libraries, museums, and park districts enhance our overall quality of life
and have a significant impact on the economic health and vitality of the
state - creating jobs, boosting tourism, and revitalizing downtowns.

The budget approved by the legislature on August 10, 2007 would have
increased the Illinois Arts Council's budget by $3.1 million from last
year's budget level and brought us very close to our goal: a budget of $24
million for the Illinois Arts Council, or $2 per person, per year in
Illinois. The budget also would have increased the Arts and Foreign Language
grant program at ISBE to over $6 million in FY08 to assist school districts
in providing valuable arts and foreign language programming.

The Illinois Arts Alliance is moving forward with an aggressive campaign to
restore full funding for the Illinois Arts Council and arts and foreign
language education funding at the Illinois State Board of Education. We NEED
your help now more than ever before!

Please tell Governor Blagojevich, senate and house leadership, and your
state lawmakers TODAY how essential the arts are to you and your community.
We have made it extremely easy for you to write a letter and contact the
governor's office.  Follow the instructions below to get detailed talking
points and information that can be incorporated into a personalized letter
you can send to legislators advocating to restore funding for the arts.

While the road ahead is rocky, together we can restore full funding for the
arts in Illinois!
Please ACT NOW<http://capwiz.com/artsusa/il/issues/alert/?alertid=10235401&type=ML&show_alert=1>
.
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