|  Timeline
Examples
of Campaign Media
Useful
Resources
Timeline of the A+ Illinois Public Awareness Campaign
Jan. 2004: Polling
 Voices for Illinois
Children and the Chicago Urban League commission a survey asking 600 registered
voters about their views on public education
Poll
shows that 66% of voters favor comprehensive school
funding reform, and that once informed about the
education crisis in the state, a majority are willing
to pay more in taxes to see reform implemented
Results
of polling and focus groups used to formulate five
principles for the campaign
Feb. 10, 2004: The Launch
Simultaneous events
at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago and the State Capitol in Springfield,
where more than 500 parents and concerned citizens rallied
Group
releases data from polling and statewide focus groups
Announcements
about the launch sent to over 8,000 people electronically
Group
aims to raise $1 million for an advertising effort
May 2004: First Community Forums
Town-hall-style
meetings feature state legislators, local school officials, social-service
providers, religious leaders, and others
Parents
are encouraged to share how their children are affected
by inadequate school funding, and to contact Gov.
Blagojevich with their concerns
Forums
continue throughout the year
June 2004: Merging with the Grassroots
When a small group
of Chicago public school parents begins circulating a petition to improve
school funding and announces a rally, A+ Illinois issues a press release
publicizing their efforts and makes the petition available online
August 2004: HB 750 Hearings Begin
A+
Illinois members speak at Illinois Senate Education
Committee meetings concerning HB 750, presenting
survey results showing that 2/3 of state voters favor
comprehensive change
Sept. 2004: Politicians Go “Back to School”
“Take
a Legislator to School” series brings local
legislative leaders to districts experiencing severe
funding shortfalls in an effort to raise awareness
of how the problem affects communities around the
state
Faculty,
staff, and students show legislators how the lack
of resources impairs learning environments
Sept. 7, 2004: Advertising Effort Begins
Half-page print
ads appear in newspapers throughout the state
Billboards
featuring the slogan “There Are Right Answers” debut
in Chicago, with English- and Spanish-language versions
telling parents: “The quality of your child's
education shouldn't depend on where you live”
Effort
also includes automated phone calls, a direct-mail
drive, and radio ads
Jan. 21, 2005: Mobilization Meeting
After legislators
failed to remedy the school funding crisis in fall 2004, the campaign held
a meeting called “Building Consensus for School Funding Reform” to
mobilize support for immediate action
Over
200 Chicago-area educators and community leaders
attended the meeting, which included three panel
discussions with audience questions
February 2005: Budget Summits Begin
After concentrating
on the state’s budget crisis during his inaugural address, Illinois
Speaker of the House Michael Madigan initiated a series of bi-partisan
budget summits around the state
Public
service providers are asked to testify as to how
delayed payments, budget cuts, and other budget shortfalls
have affected their performance
Examples of Campaign Media
The campaign’s most recent flyer,
featuring the slogan: “There ARE right answers.”
Useful Resources
The Ontario Literacy Coalition has created a Public
Awareness Action Guide with step-by-step advice on how to plan and
execute a local public awareness campaign, with adult literacy as the sample
issue. Their website includes an online toolbox with sample surveys, focus
group agendas, public service announcements, and more.
Prepared by Emily Wallace, March 9, 2005 | 
