29 E. Madison Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-252-0280 Fax: 312-252-0285
www.centerforprogress.org

For Immediate Release
January 11, 2008

Media Contact:
Raissa Allaire: 312-630-0247
Melissa Spear: 312-630-0250

Free Tax Help Available to Low-Wage Chicago Residents

Services begin Saturday, January 26

(Chicago, IL) – Families struggling just to make ends meet shouldn’t have to pay to get their tax refund and, in Illinois, they don’t – thanks to the Center for Economic Progress. This tax season, the Center will make filing taxes less taxing by preparing taxes for free in 40 Illinois communities, including 15 Chicago neighborhood locations.

“Our free tax services help low-wage families keep and save more of their hard-earned money. We can help one in three Illinois residents,” said David Marzahl, Executive Director of the Center for Economic Progress. “Thanks to our trained and certified volunteer work force, we plan on assisting more than 30,000 families this year. For our families, the tax refund is a stepping stone from getting behind to getting ahead.”

For families struggling under the weight of holiday bills as well as rising heating and gas prices, their tax refund is likely the largest lump sum they will receive all year. It is often their best chance to stop the cycle of debt in its tracks thanks largely to credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), worth up to $4,716 this year.

A family’s tax refund also offers a chance to put some money into savings. To help families looking to save their tax refund for a rainy day, the Center is partnering with 15 banks throughout the state to help clients access low-to-no fee checking and savings accounts as well as access to Certificates of Deposit and Savings Bonds.

Families who earned less than $40,000 in 2007 and individuals who earned less than $15,000 are eligible for the Center’s free tax prep service. Those interested in having their taxes prepared should bring income documents from all jobs worked throughout the year.

Open from Saturday, January 26 to Tuesday, April 15, the Center’s tax sites will be located in 15 Chicago locations:

AUBURN GRESHAM

St. Sabina Employment Resource Center
7909 S. Racine
Mon & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

BACK OF THE YARDS

Immaculate Heart of Mary Hall
4521 S. Ashland
Tues & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm

BRONZEVILLE

Abraham Lincoln Centre
3858 S. Cottage Grove
Mon, Wed, & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

CHINATOWN

Only open Saturday, Feb. 2 & 9
Cathay Bank
222 W. Cermak Road
10am – 3pm

HUMBOLDT PARK

Association House
1116 N. Kedzie
Mon & Wed, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

LAWNDALE

Homan Square Community Center
3517 W. Arthington Street
Mon & Wed, 6pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

LOOP

Harold Washington College
30 E. Lake
Mon – Thurs, 10am – 1pm
Mon – Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

PILSEN

Instituto del Progreso Latino
2570 S. Blue Island Avenue
Mon, Wed, & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

ROGERS PARK

Loyola Park Fieldhouse
1230 W. Greenleaf
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

SOUTH CHICAGO

Olive Harvey College
South Chicago Campus
3055 E. 92nd Street
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

UPTOWN

Truman College
1145 W. Wilson
Mon – Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

North Side Credit Union
1011 W. Lawrence Avenue
Tuesdays, 5:30pm – 8pm

WEST GARFIELD PARK

Bethel New Life Center
4006 W. Lake
Tues & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

WEST HAVEN

Malcolm X College
1900 W. Van Buren
Tues & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm

WOODLAWN

Woodlawn Preservation & Investment Corp.
6101 S. Evans Avenue
Tues & Thurs, 5:30pm – 8pm
Saturdays 10am – 1pm

The Center for Economic Progress will also be providing tax help in Aurora, Joliet, Elgin, Rockford, Harvey and Crystal Lake. In downstate Illinois, communities with Center tax sites include: Alton, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, East St. Louis, Marion, Moline, Normal, Peoria and Springfield.

For more information, call (312) 630-0273 or TTY (312) 701-1326. You can also visit www.centerforprogress.org. All tax sites are ADA accessible.

About the Center for Economic Progress:

The Center for Economic Progress encourages self-sufficiency and promotes economic prosperity among America’s working families. Since 1990, the Center has built a reputation for innovative programs and forward-thinking initiatives -- using the tax code to help 175,000 low-income families achieve financial stability. Operating at the local, state, and national levels, the agency provides direct services, education, and advocacy to achieve its goals. Visit www.centerforprogress.org.

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Note to Editors:

Staff members at the Center for Economic Progress are nationally recognized experts on tax and financial issues affecting low-income working families. To reach the Center’s experts, contact Melissa Spear at 312-630-0250.