[Peace] Fw: Tues., April 1--Champaign City Council

[Charlotte Green]

--- On Wed, 3/26/08, Charlotte Green <chgreen48 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Charlotte Green <chgreen48 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Tues., April 1--Champaign City Council
> To: "Charlotte Green" <chgreen48 at yahoo.com>
> Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 8:53 PM
> Support needed for Poverty Referendum
> 
> On Tuesday, April 1, 2008, the Champaign City Council will
> decide whether or not to put a referendum on the November
> ballot asking voters to approve a property tax increase to
> provide assistance to City of Champaign Township residents
> living in extreme poverty.  SUPPORTERS OF THE REFERENDUM
> ARE NEEDED TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND TO LET THE CHAMPAIGN
> CITY COUNCIL KNOW THAT OUR CITY DOES CARE ABOUT THE POOR! 
> The city council meeting will begin at 7 PM, April 1 at 102
> N. Neil St., Champaign.
> 
> BACKGROUND
> In November of 2006, City of Champaign Township voters
> turned down a referendum asking for a $.05 tax increase per
> $100 of assessed valuation. 
> 
> On February 5, 2008, voters passed an advisory referendum
> by a 2-1 margin, instructing the Township Board (Champaign
> City Council) to restore General Assistance to the poor.
> Although the referendum passed by an overwhelming margin,
> it was not binding.  Thus, Linda Abernathy, the township
> supervisor, is proposing a question be put on the ballot in
> November asking for voters to approve a $.02 per $100 of
> assessed valuation to provide assistance programs for
> people living in extreme poverty in the township.   This
> would raise the tax rate to a total of $.0557.  If the
> referendum passes, the owner of a $150,000 house would pay
> approximately $25 per year in township taxes.  
> 
> The funds generated by the proposed tax rate will provide
> assistance in these areas:
> •Transitional Assistance Program, increasing grants to
> the unemployable to $223/month.  Most people receiving
> these grants have applied for Federal SSI benefits and are
> waiting for approval.   The process typically takes at
> least 18 months; thus, the need for temporary assistance
> from the township.
> 
> •Emergency Assistance Program, providing a payment of up
> to $225, no more than once per year, to meet financial
> emergencies of income-eligible residents,  including rent
> and utility assistance
> 
> •Medical services, increased funding beginning July 2009
> 
> •Repairs and maintenance of the township building
> 
> At its March 2008 meeting, the Champaign City Council took
> a straw poll, voting 7-0 in favor of putting the question
> to increase the township tax by $.02 on the ballot in
> November.  On April 1, the council will vote again, and
> this is the vote that will actually count.  Supporters of
> the referendum are needed to attend the meeting to assure
> that the referendum gets on the ballot.  The council
> meeting will also be an opportunity to continue to educate
> voters about the importance of the township’s assistance
> programs in providing a safety net for the poor.
> 
> For more information, contact Charlotte Green,
> chgreen48 at yahoo.com. or Linda Abernathy, PandLAbern at aol.com