The Buzz About the Budget

by Mary Ellen Daneels, Lead Teacher Mentor

Recently, Governor J.B. Pritzker gave his first budget address to the Illinois General Assembly in a time of dire financial strain for the state. The address included a plan for more than one billion dollars in new revenue through taxation. Pritzker's address came on the heels a federal shutdown and last minute spending bill averting a second shutdown.

The buzz about both the state and federal budget provides #CivicsIsBack classrooms with a wealth of current and controversial issue discussion topics related to poverty, wealth, power, the role of government, corporate responsibility, resource allocation, and the market.

To engage students in inquiry related to the budget, here are some resources to start with:

• In the article, Gov. Pritzker wants more than $1 billion in new revenue. Here's how that might affect you, the Chicago Tribune staff explores the possible impact of the Governor’s plan.
• Here is an editorial that appeared in the Southern by Rich Miller of Captiol Fax, titled, Pritzker's budget address had surprises, but it's reasonable.
• The most recent podcast from Illinois Issues provides an annotated copy of the budget address.
• To understand the complicated federal budget process, have students play People’s Pie on iCivics.
• iCivics also has lesson plans on the budgeting process for classroom use.
• For an informed action opportunity, explore the Participatory Budgeting Project.
• The Foundation for Teaching Economics provides an Economic Barometer that classrooms can use in inquiry on the larger question of measures of economic health.
• Next Gen Personal Finance has a blog, Where are federal tax dollars spent?, that provides an infographic and other resources for your classroom.
• The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library uses the proven practice of simulations of democratic processes to have students create a federal budget.

What resources do you use to help your students understand the budget process- local, state or federal? Please share in the comment section below or tag me on Twitter at @daneels_m. Together, we can prepare students for college, career and civic life.