The business leaders summarize their priorities for the Illinois state budget. They request that the Governor consider increasing funding for early childhood education programs, expanding unemployment benefits for parents in childcare programs, and focusing community college and workforce training funds on programs that can help displaced workers and employers during the economic downturn. The business leaders emphasize that these education and workforce development programs are important to the economic stability and prosperity of Illinois.

1. February 26, 2009
The Honorable Pat Quinn
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Dear Governor Quinn:
Congratulations on your elevation to Governor. We are pleased to have you serving in this role and
are hopeful that your stewardship will bring some stability to Illinois state government.
As business leaders from throughout Illinois, we have joined America’s Edge because we believe
that education is key to companies’ competitive edge in the global economy. While the prior
administration increased funding to education, it was long on its commitment to spend more money
and short on its commitment to aligning educational outcomes with what companies’ need for their
current and future workforce.
As we face this recession, we are greatly concerned that the economic downturn will result in a
divestment from education. All sectors throughout Illinois heavily rely on our public education
system -- from preschool to high school, community colleges and four year universities -- to
provide students with the communication and critical thinking skills that are essential to successful
employment.
As you prepare for the March 18th
budget address, we understand the deficits that you face, yet still
respectfully request you to consider the following programs as priorities:
1. Early Childhood Block Grant: $45 million increase, to help working parents enroll their
children in the Preschool for All program, and provide greater access to at-risk families in
need of birth to three programs.
2. Child Care Program: Expansion of the unemployment window for parents whose children
are enrolled in the childcare program, from 30 days to 90 days. A change that will allow
children to remain in a quality and stable child care environment as their parent or
caregiver secures new employment
3. Community Colleges and ETIP Funding: Focus on remedial training, employer sponsored
training and dislocated worker programs that will assist employers retain workers as well
as expedite worker relocation, following layoffs.
Like you, each of us is working hard to avoid red ink, and trying to best prevent hardships on our
employees. The state’s early childhood and workforce development dollars are intrinsically related.
We know that what is good for children is good for parents and when children are in a safe, secure,
and nurturing environment, employers benefit through greater loyalty, attendance and productivity.
We also value the skills that children gain through early childhood programs, and recognize that

2. the social and emotional benefits, as well as the academic skills earned will carry them through
their educational careers and will one day support them when they enter the workforce.
While our business interests vary, we are equally committed to seeing this recession through and
look forward to once again sharing our future prosperity with current and prospective employees.
We discourage you from recommending cuts that would bring instability to early care and
education programs for working parents, and cease training for dislocated workers. At an average
cost of $10,000 annually, working parents cannot afford to sustain salary cuts while at the same
time assuming additional childcare costs: Please understand that we consider these programs
essential to workforce development and economic stability.
We cannot pretend to comprehend the enormity of the decisions that face you over the next month.
But, we do appreciate your record on taxpayer fairness, your commitment to education and your
promise to turn the page on the divisiveness that has plagued the state for far too many years. We
hope together that Illinois will again be the envy of other states and countries for the intelligence
and skill of its workforce, its stellar public education system and an economy that trumps others
around the world.
We look forward to beginning our work with you as we move forward to a better time for all of
Illinois’ children and families.
Sincerely,
Karen T. Craven
Illinois Program Director
America's Edge
8991 S. 52nd Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Sandra Westlund-Deenihan
President
Quality Float Works, Inc.
1382 Payne Road
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Vicki L. Haugen
President & CEO
Vermilion Advantage, NFP
28 W. North Street
Danville, IL 61832
Eric Bloxdorf
Executive Vice President
The Greater Springfield Chamber of
Commerce
Quantum Growth Partnership
3 South Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield, IL 62701

3. Marsha Engquist
Owner
Lake Shore Schools
5611 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL, 60660
Fran Bolson, CDME
President
Woodfield Chicago Northwest
Convention Bureau
1375 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 120
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Helen C. Gagel
Vice President External Relations
Chicago Manufacturing Center
247 S. State, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60604
Eugene Antongiovanni
Vice President
Valmatic
905 S. Riverside Drive
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Ray Prendergast
Exec. Director
Jane Adams Resource Corporation
4432 N. Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, Il 60640
cc: Senator Larry Bomke
Senator Carole Pankau
Senator John Millner
Senator Dan Cronin
Senator Iris Y. Martinez
Senator Michael W. Frerichs
Senator Heather Steans
Representative Rich Brauer
Representative Dennis M. Reboletti
Representative Paul Froehlich
Representative Sandra M. Pihos
Representative Maria A. Berrios
Representative Harry Osterman
Ms. Carolyn Brown Hodge
Illinois Office ! 8991 S. 52nd Avenue !Oak Lawn, IL 60453 - 773-230-8765 ! www.americasedge.org
Dan Swinney
Executive Director
Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council
3411 W. Diversey, Suite 10
Chicago, IL 60647
Pamela Bodzioch
Director of Human Resources
Hassett Air Express
877 S. Route 83
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Mary Ann Cervinka
Human Resource Manager
ARROW GEAR COMPANY
2301 Curtiss StreetDowners
Grove, IL 60515