Illinois Connection Donovan Pepper, Chair, UIAA Advocacy Committee Amy Eichhorst, VP, Illinois Connection, UIAA Friday, February 24, 2012

I-Break Overview “Advocacy” defined Why does U of I need grassroots support? Illinois Connection overview Priorities in Illinois General Assembly Priorities in U.S. Congress and federal agencies General advocacy messages How you and your group can play a role U of I Day at the Capitol – April 18, 2012 A

“Advocacy” Defined o Advocacy by an individual or by an advocacy group aims to influence public- policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; o Advocacy may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an asset of interest.... A

Why does UI need grassroots advocates? University & its students are affected by decisions made by legislatures UI dependent on state financial support over the years (shrank to 15% of UI budget) Dependent on federal research dollars - $800 million in externally funded research Others competing for same funding and legislation Academic quality at U of I is dependent on being on the “winning” side of these decisions A

If you live in Illinois, you are each a constituent of: 2 US Senators (13 million constituents) 1 US Representative (700,000 constituents) 1 State Senator (210,000 constituents) 1 State Representative (105,000 constituents) City Council Other local government entity County Commission A

Illinois Connection helps U of I have its voice heard Illinois Connection is an advocacy network that enlists University of Illinois students, alumni, staff, faculty, friends and community leaders to speak with one voice; and with one united message; in support of the University. More than 11,000 advocates communicate with community leaders, friends, families, legislators and agencies. A

Top 5 reasons why legislators will listen to you: 5.They understand the value of higher education 6.They have family members or friends that attended the University of Illinois 3. Their legislative leader asked them to vote in support of higher education funding 2. They receive support from alumni and friends who care about the U of I 1. THEY WANT YOUR VOTE & WANT TO GET RE-ELECTED! D

Advocacy Tactics s to legislators through Illinois Connection’s advocacy website Phone calls Letters Personal visits Letters to the editor Attendance at town hall meetings & fundraisers D

May 2008: Action Alert for 3 campuses May 2008: Action Alert for 3 campuses Sept. 2008: State budget and proposed capital bill Sept. 2008: State budget and proposed capital bill Sept. 2009: U of I Support and Public Safety Building Sept. 2009: U of I Support and Public Safety Building Feb. 2010: Budget and MAP Grants Feb. 2010: Budget and MAP Grants Mar. 2010: Budget Mar. 2010: Budget Apr. 2011: Federal Research and Pell Grants Apr. 2011: Federal Research and Pell Grants May 2011: Budget and student MAP grants, UIC Exit Survey May 2011: Budget and student MAP grants, UIC Exit Survey Illinois Connection Advocates October 2011: State Survey Funding, Pell Grants, and Research Funding October 2011: State Survey Funding, Pell Grants, and Research Funding Updated 12/1/11

Illinois Connection Alerts and Communications (Including s, phone calls, and letters) Updated 12/1/11

2012 State Legislative Priorities UI’s FY 2013 Request: Static operating funding of $689 million for U of I Governor Quinn’s FY2013 Budget: Operating funding of $705 million for U of I (+$15 million from FY12) D

2012 State Legislative Priorities UI’s FY 2013 Request: Capital / Construction Requests totaling $516 million 1.Repair and Renovation - $60 million (all campuses) 2.Advanced Chemical Technology Supplemental - $46 million (UIC) 3.Natural History Building - $50 million (UIUC) 4.Pharmacy Renovation & Addition - $82 million (UIC) 5.Main/Undergrad Library Redevelopment - $50 million (UIS) 6.Hospital Modernization Phase I - $41 million (UIC) 7.Disability Research, Res. & Education Bldg. - $50 million (UIUC) 8.Science & Engineering Lab Renovation Phase I - $38 million (UIC) 9.Burrill Hall Remodeling - $27 million (UIUC) 10.Stevenson Hall Classroom Bldg. Modernization - $21 million (UIC)

2012 State Legislative Priorities UI’s FY 2013 Position: Support Monetary Assistance Program Grants ($4,968 max/year) to support U of I’s 13,500 MAP Grant recipients Governor Quinn’s FY2013 Budget: Proposes a $50 million increase in MAP funding over FY2012 D

State Budget Process U of I submits budget request to IBHE (9/11) IBHE submits budget to Governor (Fall 2011) Governor releases budget (Wednesday)  Senate Appropriations Comm. holds hearing  Monday, March 1pm in Chicago (tentative date)  House Appropriations Higher Ed Comm. holds hearing  Thursday, March Stratton Office Building, Room C-1(time tbd)  Appropriation Committees pass appropriations bills  General Assembly passes final budget bill  Governor signs the budget D

2012 Federal Legislative Priorities Federal Research Funding: U of I opposes cuts in research funding for key agencies like the NIH, NSF, DOD, DOE & USDA. U of I receives approx. $800 million/year in externally funded research. President Obama’s Budget Proposal: Maintains funding for scientific research agencies. Includes slight increases in NSF and DOE office of Science. D

2012 Federal Legislative Priorities Pell Grants: U of I opposes cuts in the Pell Grant program. U of I supports the current maximum grant amount of $5,550/year. Currently, 14,000 U of I students receive Pell Grants. President Obama’s Budget Proposal: Recommends a slight increase in Pell Grant funding. D

General Advocacy Messages: Investing in U of I is an investment in the future prosperity of our state and its residents. U of I is an economic driver; for every $1 invested in the University by the state; the University produces $17 back into the economy. We pump more than $13 billion into the economy. U of I has a track record of creating knowledge that changes the world (in the areas of food production; technology; medicine; science). It’s critical that public higher education is accessible and affordable to all students; the less the state contributes, the more students and their families have to contribute. Government can’t afford NOT to invest in higher education. D

How you can play a role? Join Illinois Connection Write your legislators using the IC website Write a letter to the editor using the website Meet with your elected officials Attend a town hall meeting Attend Illinois Connection events Talk about U of I with your families, friends, co-workers and community leaders. D

How alumni leaders can help us keep the momentum going: Include “advocacy” through Illinois Connection into your board, group, or club’s strategic goals and activities Identify an alumni leader in your group to serve as a liaison or point person on Illinois Connection Help identify & recruit people to the program – especially those with political connections Share “action alerts” and encourage your organization’s members to respond Coordinate in-district meetings with state and federal representatives Ensure your group is represented at U of I Day at the Capitol A

Wednesday, A pril 18, 2012 U of I Day at the Capitol D We hope you will join us! For more details on lobby day and to register, go to

Why alumni are involved in Illinois Connection Advocacy helps keep the value of a U of I degree high Alumni want to help the U of I – and this is a concrete way to do that Alumni can often directly see the result of their activity It’s FUN to be involved in advocacy Alumni can determine their level of involvement in IC Alumni like to attend events where they can interact with other alumni, students, and University leaders It’s a way to show their pride – U of I is changing the state, nation and world! D

Questions? Comments? Donovan PepperAmy Eichhorst Senior Director Vice President Local Government Relations, Walgreens Co.Illinois Connection Member, UIAA Board of DirectorsUI Alumni Association Chair, UIAA Advocacy Committee217/