Whenever a government budget is mentioned, what comes to mind is big political fights and speeches that result in a complicated document that is challenging to understand. But the state budget is much more than that.
For Black communities in Illinois, many face past and present systemic racism, and for our liberation, we must address systemic racism in all of our public systems. To do so, we must fundamentally rethink how services are shaped, how they are budgeted, and how the government delivers services to all residents. Budgets are a reflection of government priorities. Below are some reasons Black communities in Illinois should care about the state budget:
Budgets impact our everyday lives. The decision of how to raise tax revenue and spend money is one of the most impactful actions the government has on Black communities. Budget decisions determine how we build our communities, provide services that meet our needs, ensure thriving businesses and keep our communities safe. The state budget in particular determines the distribution of federal and state dollars into local communities. Better understanding of government spending will help us inform and support leaders that invest in the interests of black residents and for all across the state.
Black communities deserve investment. As residents in Illinois and the United States, our governments have a moral and legal obligation to provide services, and our elected officials decide how our community needs are met. Illinois depends heavily on property taxes for services, creating differences of equity across the state in programs and services. Black communities with a history of disinvestment are in need of additional budget support to provide adequate levels of service without additional tax burdens they cannot afford. The state is in the unique position to address disparities in local investment with their greater ability to raise revenue and impact its distribution across the state.
Budget justice is a civil rights issue. The budget is the front line to normalizing the government to address our unjust past. First, we have areas that still feel the effects of housing discrimination from the past which were deliberately starved of investment, and the budget is a large tool for restorative investment. Second, our past housing discrimination and its present effects have a tax system that puts a higher burden on Black communities than most other areas in Illinois. Even today, Black communities are systemically undervalued in the market making it harder to build wealth and making it more challenging to thrive.
To address the effects of historic and present inequity of investment, the budget provides the resources needed to get Black communities closer to economic justice. The public value of services like education should allow for all communities to receive the training needed to live economically secure and happy lives, yet we have a ‘hold harmless’ provision that doesn’t want to ‘harm’ resource rich communities through redistribution at the expense of keeping less resource rich communities below adequacy.
Budgets allow for institutionalizing systemic change. New programs and service changes require investment. Due to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), many programs that faced past budget constraints were funded and provided positive impacts on black communities. As federal money runs out, we need to evaluate the value added by new programs and spending and integrate effective spending into the state budget to institutionalize those programs.
Black communities are empowered to determine their future during budget discussion. Elected officials are accountable to their constituents and must consider public input in the budgeting process. We can make an impact on how your tax dollars are spent by advocating for budget justice and equity in our community.
In the fall of 2024, state agencies submitted their budget requests and the revenue forecast for the state. The Governor will present the budget to the public on February 19 during the State of the State address where he will outline the fiscal challenges facing the state and the priorities reflected in his recommended budget. As governments transition from COVID-era spending, the state will be key in evaluating effective programs that serve all communities in Illinois and address disparities facing Black communities. The live stream of the State of the State can be found at https://www.illinois.gov/about/live-video.html
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