CURRENT UNITED POWER ORGANIZING PRIORITIES
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION FOR ILLINOIS
United Power has been in existence for over 10 years, and has worked for health insurance for the uninsured, housing for poor and working families, immigrant rights, control of guns used in crimes, educational funding reform and other issues of concern to its members.
We have been on the forefront of uniting people of different races, creeds, economic background and geographical neighborhoods to work together for the common good. While United Power does not participate in partisan politics, it does take sides on controversial issues and attempts to hold politicians of all parties accountable to the people who elected them. Because of the current situation in Springfield, United Power has found it more and more difficult to get state officials to listen to the needs of the people and make the tough decisions necessary for a society in which “liberty and justice for all” is a reality.
We have therefore come to the conclusion that there is a need to look at the basic structure of how we do public business in this state and that the upcoming vote on whether or not to have a new constitutional convention offers a perfect opportunity to force this kind of discussion. Therefore, we are urging a “yes” vote on the constitutional convention on November 4, 2008, and if successful will work to elect independent citizen-delegates to the constitutional convention itself. convention could do
For more information on this campaign or to get involved visit our companion site: www.conconillinois.com.
HEALTH CARE
United Power is at the forefront of organizing in Illinois to adopt a universal healthcare plan. In October of 2006, shortly before his reelection, Governor Rod Blagojevich attended a United Power assembly of 1500. He made seven specific commitments to United Power, including a pledge to lead Illinois to universal coverage in his second term. On March 7, 2006, Governor Blagojevich unveiled a $2.1 billion plan to move Illinois toward universal coverage. The plan includes several key elements that United Power advocated he adopt, such as an employer mandate, flexibility for young adult coverage, and coverage for all poor single childless adults in Illinois. United Power is analyzing the details of the plan and readying a legislative strategy for the next several months. United Power has also convened a team of powerful allies to work together to pressure the Governor for the best possible plan and ultimately to push the legislature to adopt it. Key allies in this alliance are the Illinois Hospital Association, the Illinois State Medical Society, the Illinois AFL-CIO, and the SEIU Illinois Council.
In addition, United Power has successfully defended a recent attempt by the Cook County Board to cut the Health Neighborhood Referral Program (NRP). The NRP is a key resource for United Power’s member Community Health Centers who see tens of thousands uninsured people every year. The NRP allows these health centers to get medications and lab testing through the Cook County system without having to send them to the County Hospital Emergency Room. With the County facing a $500 million shortfall that resulted in the County closing 13 of its own clinics, United Power was able to restore the NRP to the final budget with a $3 million amendment.
HOUSING
United Power released a comprehensive study of city and state spending on affordable housing in October 2006. The research showed that both Chicago and Illinois lag behind their peers across the nation in terms of dedicating their own funds to affordable housing of all kinds. United Power’s housing team has established a goal based on this research of getting Illinois to dedicate $500 million annually to affordable housing. Currently, United Power is pursuing various strategies to generate additional revenue for housing preservation and statewide.
LEADERSIHP DEVELOPMENT
These tangible victories, dramatic issues, and issue teams and campaigns only represent part of the United Power story. The consistent interaction of leaders from every corner of the county and most racial, religious, and ethnic groups does not merit media attention, but is key to the construction of a new political culture and dynamic in the region. That culture doesn’t focus on who is the boss or the king, but on how to deepen the education and broaden the number of people participating in public life. United Power professional staff and top leaders are intentionally focused on developing new leaders from our member congregations and organizations. This occurs through various training opportunities, through experience and evaluation of action, and congregational work where leaders learn in their own contexts how to build a following and lead most effectively.
CONGREGATIONAL/ INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In the last several years, United Power has reinvested in numerous member institutions through internal trainings and listening campaigns of various kinds.
In the last two years, this has increasingly involved member and potential member Jewish congregations. This intensive congregational work in the Jewish community began with Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Glenview through it’s Panim El Panim relational meeting program. BJBE will be presented the URJ’s national Fain Social Action award for this campaign and its on-going social justice work with United Power in April 2007. Following BJBE’s example, Chicago Sinai Congregation is in the midst of its own Face-to-Face relational meeting campaign.
Beyond the Jewish community, United Power is actively working with Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park, Third Baptist Church of Chicago, the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, St. Gerald Catholic Church in Oak Lawn, and the Interfaith Leadership Project of Cicero & Berwyn.
Additionally, United Power has engaged in a team building and deepening campaign in its eight member community health centers over the last year. These non-profit Federally Qualified Health Centers see hundreds of thousands of patients each year without regard to their insurance status. They have worked with United Power to train and engage staff and patients in organizing for recognition and their common self-interests. The victory around the County’s Neighborhood Referral Program is a direct result of this work.