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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

How Illinois Can Give Big on #GivingTuesday

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Tuesday, December 2, 2014   

CHICAGO - With Black Friday and Cyber Monday receding in the rearview mirror, today marks a day dedicated to giving back as Illinoisans are encouraged to join a new tradition of generosity on #GivingTuesday.

Nonprofit organizations around the state are working to raise $12 million in one day through #ILGIVEBIG, or the "I'll Give Big" initiative. Joan Vitale, director of special initiatives with Voices for Illinois Children, says her organization hopes to inspire people - especially the millennial generation - to spend with a purpose.

"We decided this was a good way for us to encourage younger people who are just beginning to think about philanthropy, donating and giving back," she says. "It's giving those younger folks an easier way to do that."

The Donor's Forum is organizing the #ILGIVEBIG initiative, and hundreds of nonprofits are involved. Voices for Illinois Children is using the hashtag #4MYFUTURE, and Vitale says any donation today will be matched by a fellow child advocate. Illinoisans are asked to share and retweet #4MYFUTURE and #ILGIVEBIG to spread awareness about the campaign.

Vitale adds Voices for Illinois Children works in a variety of ways to help kids and families with health care, education, economic security and other needs, and says an investment in children is an investment in the future.

"That's where our investment should be," she says. "Making sure all kids have a good opportunity, that they're healthy, happy and ready to succeed and that they have all the tools that are in place for themselves and their families."

Vitale says it's especially important to consider helping those less fortunate in Illinois, given that the personal income tax will decrease at the end of this year.

"We will go from a five percent personal income tax to 3.75," she says. "That means even more cuts in social services, which is going to make the job of advocates even more crucial."


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