The Law Project, working with our No Youth Alone campaign, secured a
significant victory this summer: Illinois has allocated $3 million to
help fund homeless education programs in its public schools. This marks
the first time that any state has helped fund its homeless education
programs.

The General Assembly OK’d the $3 million in the budget sent to the
governor on May 31, and the funding measure survived the governor’s
extensive budget vetoes in July. The funding is about equal to the
level of federal funding also given to Illinois schools for services to
homeless students, including a liaison to work with homeless families
in every school and bus transportation or tutoring for those who need
it.

Chicago Public Schools served a record 10,642 homeless students in 2007-08 school year, 9% more children than the previous year.

Statewide, Illinois schools served 22,321 homeless students in 2006-07, enrollment that reflect a one-year jump of 19.8%.

Two years ago, the Law Project began to advocate that Illinois
contribute to the limited federal funds schools receive. The governor’s
office agreed to recommend $15 million for the FY 2008 budget. The
legal staff made more than five trips to Springfield to talk to state
officials.

But CCH was disappointed to learn, in August 2007, that no funding was
included in the FY 2008 state budget that was adopted after 67 days in
overtime session.

The Law Project resumed advocacy last fall. The CCH Youth Committee and
the No Youth Alone campaign also adopted the school funding measure for
its advocacy platform. On Dec. 12, 2007, Law Project Director Laurene
Heybach testified at the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
meeting in Springfield, urging ISBE to allocate at least $8 million in
the agency’s next budget. While in Springfield, Law Project staff
also met with the governor’s staff and with an ISBE assistant
superintendent.

In January, ISBE proposed $3 million in its budget request. The Law
Project, staff and providers working on the statewide youth campaign
continued to advocate support with state legislators through last
spring. Now, with funding in place, the Law Project is talking with
state school officials about how the FY 2009 funds are distributed,
advocating that the funds be used to bolster services to homeless
students.