For 20 years, the Center for Economic Progress has been on the forefront of turning tax time into an opportunity for low-wage workers and their families to get ahead. Read our 2010 Tax & Financial Services Highlights to find out how we helped families move toward financial security during the 2010 tax season.

During 2009, CEP—along with thousands of other organizations and millions of individuals—was tasked with finding ways to do more with less. Though the economic climate presented a serious challenge, it had a way of bringing out our entrepreneurial spirit. Our 2009 annual report illustrates just a few examples of how we—with the help of our many supporters—channeled our entrepreneurial spirit and dared to step outside the box.

As jobs continue to disappear and wages decline, it’s gotten more and more difficult for hard-working, low-income families to make ends meet. In the midst of these challenging times, the demand for free tax and asset build services has grown. Join at the National Community Tax Coalition (NCTC) Regional Summit in Detroit, Michigan on August 4-5 as we continue working together to make a real impact in the communities we serve.

On April 10, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn visited the Center for Economic Progress’ tax site at Truman College to share advice with taxpayers and thank volunteers for their dedication.

On March 18, over 50 guests joined the Center for Economic Progress’ Board of Directors for an evening with Attorney General Lisa Madigan. 

At the Center, donations come in a variety of forms. From individuals donating their time to help our clients to generous companies providing us with monetary or in-kind support, each donation helps make our mission possible. We encourage you to check out this month's featured donor: Paragon Promotions. For your promotional items needs, visit Paragon Promotions.

The Center for Economic Progress has recently been featured on lifestyle cable network Plum TV as a part of an initiative sponsored by Bank of America to highlight the remarkable efforts of four organizations that are making a big impact in the communities they serve. 

The Center for Economic Progress and MyServiceVine have teamed up and invite you to take part in a challenge to help raise money for the Center—without ever opening your wallet.

Tax season can be a confusing time for everyone—especially low-income individuals and families looking to claim all of the credits that are available to them this filing season. To alleviate some of this confusion, staff members from the Center for Economic Progress will host a live, call-in show on Chicago's CAN TV21 to provide tax help to viewers.

The Center for Economic Progress has partnered with Chili's restaurants throughout Illinois as part of the new Chili's Pepper Profit Partner Program. Visit a participating Chili's between December 5 and April 30 the Center will get 10 percent of the total purchase.

The Center for Economic Progress has been awarded a grant by COUNTRY Financial through its Count on COUNTRY Financial grant program. The Center was one of five grant recipients. 

With little tax training, low-income families are among the most likely to leave money on the table at tax time. Become a Center volunteer and help offer free tax and financial services to low-income families.

Savings is as important as consumption when it comes to the future economic health and vitality of the U.S. economy. Read more about our savings policy work in our latest policy paper.

During the 2009 tax season, the Center put $52 million back into the pockets of more than 33,000 Illinois families and their communities. Read our Tax & Financial Services Highlights to see how we've helped families use our tax and financial services to get ahead.

This year, low-income students across the country will learn that finding money for college is easier than they thought with help from our new national initiative, Financial Aid U.

The Center was recently highlighted as a pioneer in helping Americans to save at tax time. Hosted by New America Foundation, the event featured Jason Furman, White House National Economic Council.

Perhaps nowhere is April 15 -- Tax Day -- tougher on low-income families than in Illinois. The Center strongly endorses Governor Pat Quinn’s effort to offer tax relief to Illinois families. 

Thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Citi Foundation, the Center will help families navigate one of the most crucial steps for low-income students on the road to college – understanding the financial aid application process.

With many people concerned about their jobs, the struggling economy is impacting everyone. Where can you go for help? CBS2 Charity Contributor Lisa Dietlin highlighted the Center for Economic Progress.

The current economic crisis offers a historic opportunity for transformation. Our annual report highlights how we are reimagining our work as we focus on the pocketbook issues of working families.

The Center's workplace program "Chicago Supports Workers" was featured on the front-page Business section of the Chicago Tribune on Saturday, August 2, 2008.

Center successfully champions $8 million in first-time federal support for community tax programs.