The Ahlquist Agenda
At the Ahlquist Center, we focus on advocating for robust, antiracist, equitable policies and social supports that create social capital, economic mobility, and systems designed to ensure children, families, and communities thrive.
In the center’s podcast, Ahlquist Agenda, we invite you to take an inside look at how we think about policy: why it matters, how it impacts youth, families, and communities, and what you can do to help.
Episode 2 – Driving to Independence
Earning a driver’s license is a key milestone to adulthood. Yet for youth in care, there are many barriers to earning that license. In the second episode of the Ahlquist Agenda, we’re joined by Gerry Glynn and Keri Flynn from Embrace Families in Florida, which runs a nationally renowned program called Keys to Independence that helps Florida foster youth earn their license. Together, we talk about the importance of normalcy for youth in care and why other states should invest in similar programs. Run-Time: 17:46
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Episode Resources:
To learn more about the work that Keys to Independence does across the country, you can visit their website. Our proposal on how Illinois can increase access to driver’s licenses for youth in care can be viewed here.
Episode 1 – Money, Money, Money: Expanding the Earned Income Credit
In the debut episode of the Ahlquist Agenda, we focus on putting more cash in the hands of those who need it the most through the Earned Income Credit. Amber Wilson, State Coalition Manager of the Economic Security for Illinois joins our conversation to give an update on two bills that seek to expand the credit and talk about the significant impact it would have on Illinois families. Run-Time: 13:08
Episode Resources:
You can find more info about the legislation discussed on the Economic Security for Illinois’ website. To hear how families would be impacted by this legislation, watch WTTW’s report on the Earned Income Tax Credit. Head here if you want to share your story about how more cash would impact your family. If you would like to show your support for the bill, click here.
