GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH’S BUDGET CUTS
The General Assembly passed a budget that is over $2 billion out of balance. As a consequence, the Governor vetoed $145 million from community based services for people with DD, including:
· $4,600,000 funding recommendations for Community Integrated Living Arrangements.
· $5,000,000 to decrease the waiting list for aging caregivers.
· $2,000,000 to help young adults transition from the school system.
· $5,300,000 decrease for the Autism Diagnosis Education Program.
· $693,000 decrease for the family assistance and home-based support services program
· $159,000 decrease for transitions from state-ops to the community for DD
· $11,900,000 decrease for DD Grants and Purchase of Care
· $7,660,000 decrease for DD Long-Term Care
· $176,500 decrease for specialized services to persons with DD
· $10,200 decrease for DD Quality Assurance Waiver
· $270,000 decrease for ARC of Illinois Lifespan Project
· $130,300 decrease for transitions from DCFS to DHS DDD
· $27,500,000 – 50 cents/hour wage increase for DD & MH Direct Care/Non-Executive Staff
Illinois is 51st in the nation (50 states and Puerto Rico) in investing in community based services for children and adults with disabilities. We have the 13th-highest per capita income and the 5th- highest-paid legislature. To add insult to injury, the Department of Human Services announced yesterday that further reductions are necessary throughout the developmental disability programs.
The reductions are basically comprised of a 2.5% reduction across all programs and a 12% reduction on grant programs. We need you to contact your State Representative and Senator and ask them to stop these cuts. WE ALSO NEED YOU TO HOLD MEETINGS WITH THE SELF-ADVOCATES THAT YOU SUPPORT IN ORDER TO INFORM THEM, RALLY THEM AROUND THIS CAUSE, AND PAY A PERSONAL VISIT TO THE LEGISLATORS IN THEIR DISTRICT. Let your legislators know that you support new revenue, but only if it includes community-based DD services. Let your legislators know you expect them to lead Illinois out of a financial crisis and support ALL of its citizens.
If you need help on finding out whom your district’s legislators are, please contact Amy Walker at awalker@maconresources.org or (217) 875-8886 or Sheena Martin at martin.sheena@gmail.com or (217) 875-8886.
Thank you for your help.
LET’S RALLY TO BLAST THOSE BUDGET CUTS BACK
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