Pillar 2: Stabilize Homes and Communities

The Illinois Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security has developed strategies, as outlined in the Strategic Plan and are organized under five action pillars, to improve the economic mobility of those living in deep poverty. The pillars and associated strategies emphasize a "multi-generational" approach to poverty, addressing the needs of grandparents, parents, children, and single adults to improve long-term outcomes for all.

The Commission recognizes that the Strategic Plan is not static and will continue to be informed by the efforts of government partners, community-based organizations, businesses, and philanthropy. To that end, the Commission continues to engage stakeholders in those regions of the State that are most impacted by deep poverty, to ensure strategies and solutions meet the varied needs of our diverse State. Thus, the Commission has launched working committees, made up of Commission members, members of the Interagency Working Group and outside stakeholders, to drive strategic initiatives under each of the five strategic pillars.

Pillar 2: Stabilize Homes and Communities

Strategies:

  1. Reduce Homelessness by Half and Ensure Housing Affordability and Accessibility
  2. Invest in High-Quality, Specialized Supports for Persons Experiencing Mental Health and Substance Use Related Crises
  3. Invest in Interventions that Address Cycles of Trauma and Violence in our Communities

Subcommittee members:

Appointment Name Affiliation
Chairperson Senator Dale Fowler Illinois State Senator
Commission Member Juan Calderon Chief Operating Officer, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Commission Member Senator Kimberly Lightford Illinois State Senator
Commission Member Hon. Kevin T. Lee Associate Judge, 4th district of the Cook County Circuit Court in Maywood
Commission Member Rev. Dwight Ford Executive Director, Project NOW
IWGP Member Elizabeth Vogt Chief of Staff, Illinois Department on Aging
IWGP Member Marc Staley Deputy Director, Illinois Governor's Office of Management and Budget
IWGP Member Dr. Janice Phillips Assistant Director, Illinois Department of Public Health
IWGP Invited Member Emily Mueller Assistant Director of Policy and Research, Illinois Housing Development Authority
Public Member Emily Metz Director for Housing Stability and Inclusive Economy Lab, Chicago
Public Member Hope Babowice President, Mundelein High School Education Support Association
Public Member Courtney Groves Illinois Education Association-Government-Relations Department
Public Member Keesha Readus Communications Associate at Illinois Education Association
Public Member Kimberly Mercer-Schleider Director, Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities
Public Member/IDHS SME Christine Haley Statewide Homelessness Chief
Public Member/IDHS SME Felicia Gray Associate Director, Division of Early Childhood
Public Member/IDHS SME Amanda Lake Senior Policy Advisor, Division of Substance Use, Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)
Public Member/IDHS SME Ryan Rollinson Chief of Staff, Division of Mental Health
Public Member/IDHS SME Quiwana Bell Assistant Secretary, Office of Firearm Violence Prevention

Meetings: