MAKING A REAL IMPACT
CTBA’s work has a profound impact on public debate and policy, directly improving the lives of millions of people.
Education
CTBA co-drafted legislation at the request of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus that transformed K-12 school funding in Illinois to ensure it is both adequate in amount and distributed fairly. The Evidenced-Based Formula for Student Success Act (EBF) redresses historic inequities in education funding and quality: since passage in 2018, funding gaps faced by low income students generally, and Black and Brown students specifically, have declined in a meaningful way.
Tax Fairness
CTBA drafted legislation that became the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. CTBA also drafted legislation that decoupled Illinois from the federal repeal of the estate tax; as well as the bill which eventually became the temporary income tax increase that passed in 2011. Those latter two reforms collectively generated over $7.5 billion in new, annual revenue for Illinois, averting significant spending cuts in the four core areas of education, health care, human services, and public safety.
Health Care
CTBA worked successfully with then-Governor George Ryan to create a prescription drug benefit manager for the state’s group health and outside health service programs. This reform saves Illinois anywhere from $240 million to $400 million in annual prescription drug costs in the state’s Medicaid program.
Beyond Illinois
CTBA’s reach extends beyond Illinois. Executive Director Ralph Martire was appointed to the Federal Department of Education’s Excellence and Equity in Education Commission in the DOE’s Civil Rights Division. Martire co-authored the first section of the Commission’s final report, which identified how to reform systems of education finance at the federal and state levels to ensure each child receives a high-quality public education irrespective of income, race, ethnicity, or home address. Based on Martire’s work on the Commission, CTBA has been asked to provide technical assistance on tax policy and education funding reforms at the federal level, and in the states of Alabama, Colorado, Pennsylvania, California, Montana, and Georgia.