You may want to contact your state Rep and Senator about this...

[Guest guest]

I received this from the Executive Director of Avenues to

Independence, a provider agency in Park Ridge.

Ellen

To all,

Today, Gov Blago announced potential cuts of $260 million to social

service programs, including cuts to 21,000 persons with DD living in

community settings(thats us folks!). These cuts would begin on July

1st unless more revenues are provided in the FY 09 budget.

You need to contact your state senator, state rep, the four

legislative leaders and the governor to demand that social services

not take the brunt of the states financial problems. It is up to

them to solve Illinois financial problems. Click on the link below

to find your state senator and representative. Also send a letter to

the Governor, Mike Madigan, Emil , and Tom Cross.

http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/selectsearchtype.asp

x

Bob O.

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Below is the text of the Governors press release from today:

A lack of additional revenue would mean:

• Significant reductions in staffing throughout State government at

agencies such as Department of Natural Resources, Department of Human

Services, Department od Corrections, and others.

• Increased workload for DCFS caseworkers.

• A $110 million reduction in education spending.

• Nearly $260 million in reductions to social services programs. Over

100,000 individuals would see a reduction in services or access to

community health and prevention services; 21,000 individuals with

developmental disabilities living in the community would face

reductions in service; mental health services and programs for

individuals with developmental disabilities would be reduced; rates

for foster parents would not increase.

• A $257 million reduction to economic development and transit. More

than 100,000 workers will not receive job-skills training, and state

support for RTA fare subsidies for students and people with

disabilities would be eliminated.

• More than $600 million in healthcare reductions. This includes a

$530 million Medicaid reduction resulting in healthcare providers

such as hospital and pharmacies waiting an additional 20 days for

payment from the State, on top of the 70 days they already wait;

20,000 outpatients would not receive service at Oak Forest Hospital;

and up to 10,000 uninsured residents who are unaware of their HIV

status would not be identified and linked to healthcare.

• More than $106 million in reductions to services for seniors and

Veterans. Expansion of the Elder Abuse Line would not be funded,

despite a 25 percent increase in calls to the line since its

inception. An additional 40 bed expansion at the LaSalle Veteran's

Home would not open.