SPRINGFIELD, IL - State Senator Michael Frerichs (D-Champaign) passed a bill through the Illinois State Senate recently creating an income tax checkoff for the Crisis Nursery Coalition, which consists of six non-profit organizations and includes the Crisis Nursery in Urbana. Tax checkoffs appear on state income tax forms as a way to encourage taxpayers to donate a portion of their return to charitable causes. The Crises Nursery Coalition provides short-term care for children who are under six and at risk.

"This legislation provides an easy way for taxpayers to donate some of their tax return to the Crisis Nursery," said Senator Frerichs. "The Crisis Nursery in Urbana is an example of what a community organization should be. The Nursery brings together business groups, community associations, area hospitals, and community members to donate money, toys, clothes, or time to help serve families who are in crisis. It's a wonderful organization and I'm glad I am able to help."

The Crisis Nursery in Urbana is supported by private and public funds. The Nursery helps out families who are in crisis and does not have a limit on how often a person may use the Nursery; however they do monitor to see if their services are being abused. The Crisis Nursery in Urbana is open 24 hours, 365 days a year and is a past recipient of the Congressional Point of Light award. Last year, the Crisis Nursery in Urbana served 500 children, totaling 22,905 hours of free childcare for area residents

"The great thing about this checkoff is that we will increase funding to the Crisis Nursery without raising and taxes or fees," said Senator Frerichs. "Even if taxpayers choose to contribute a small portion of their return it adds up when you take into consideration all the residents of Illinois who pay taxes."

In 2004, the taxpayers of Illinois donated an average of $201,220 to each of the 9 charitable checkoffs available that year. There are 11 charitable tax checkoffs available this year. Taxpayers could donate to charities which work on issues involving child abuse, breast cancer, wildlife, multiple sclerosis, military families, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, lung cancer, Illinois Veterans' Home, Alzheimer's, and the homeless. The Crisis Nursery will be added to that list if Senate Bill 2227 is signed into law.

More information about the Crisis Nursery Coalition can be found at http://www.cncoi.org/. For more information about the Crisis Nursery of Urbana, visit "http://www.crisisnursery.net/". Senate Bill 2227 now moves to the House after it passed the Senate without opposition.