To: The Illinois State House, The Illinois State Senate, and Governor J.B. Pritzker
Protect Youth Jobs in Illinois
While giving himself a $750,000 tax break, Governor Bruce Rauner is slashing jobs programs that keep young people off the streets, provide opportunities in under-served communities, and promote a healthy economy now and in the future by developing our youth. These cuts come at a time when both youth unemployment and youth incarceration are at all-time highs. A recent study found that 75% of Illinois teens age 16-19 from low income families are unemployed. That figure jumps to 89% in Chicago. Balancing the budget on the backs of low-income families and youth is not the way to a healthy economy.
By signing this petition, we call on our state legislators to give Illinois youth the opportunity to work by passing a sensible budget and opposing cuts to vital youth programs.
By signing this petition, we call on our state legislators to give Illinois youth the opportunity to work by passing a sensible budget and opposing cuts to vital youth programs.
Why is this important?
Bikes N' Roses is a non-profit, youth-led bicycle collaborative that provides mentorship and sorely needed jobs for under-served young people while promoting biking in our communities of Albany Park and Belmont-Cragin, some of America's most diverse neighborhoods. We were promised $276,000 in funding but when Governor Rauner took office, we were forced to shut down most of our operation. With just a few hours notice, we had to lay off 50 youth from 15 worksites, including the Bikes N' Roses shop and a local foster home.
"Even though we lost all the money, we're still here. I'm never going to lose hope for the shop. I've put in effort and time, and this is my home."
-Jassmyn Venegas, Roosevelt High School Senior
Our youth are incredibly resilient. Many have stayed on as volunteers and they have resolved to do a 211 mile, 3 day bike ride to Springfield to help keep the doors open and advocate for programs like ours across the state. They'll ride 70 miles a day—partnering with community organizations, meeting elected officials, and elevating the youth voice along the way—before arriving in the capital to urge our legislators to pass a responsible budget that doesn't shut out Illinois' youth.
To learn how you can help, visit us online: http://www.bikesnroses.org/
"Even though we lost all the money, we're still here. I'm never going to lose hope for the shop. I've put in effort and time, and this is my home."
-Jassmyn Venegas, Roosevelt High School Senior
Our youth are incredibly resilient. Many have stayed on as volunteers and they have resolved to do a 211 mile, 3 day bike ride to Springfield to help keep the doors open and advocate for programs like ours across the state. They'll ride 70 miles a day—partnering with community organizations, meeting elected officials, and elevating the youth voice along the way—before arriving in the capital to urge our legislators to pass a responsible budget that doesn't shut out Illinois' youth.
To learn how you can help, visit us online: http://www.bikesnroses.org/