http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0603090186mar09,1,16051.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hedIllinois' portion of federal faith dollars increases
WASHINGTON -- When Chicago's Night Ministry opens a temporary shelter for homeless teenagers this spring, it can thank the White House for $50,000 in "compassion capital."
This is one small slice of a growing, $2 billion-plus federal pie being served to private faith-based organizations that provide social services.
Illinois' portion of such outlays has grown substantially since the program started with President Bush's 2000 campaign pledge to "rally the armies of compassion." Illinois climbed to No. 2 among states receiving funds for faith-based services in 2005, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is expected to announce Thursday when it reports an increase in overall faith-based spending nationwide for the third consecutive year.
The government gave $127.4 million to groups in Illinois last year, a 13 percent increase over 2004, according to the White House. Only in New York did faith-based organizations receive more money. Florida ranked third, California fourth and Pennsylvania fifth.