Important call to action...

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

Here is a message from Exec. Dir. at Avenues to Independence, Bob

Okazaki...

The following is an urgent action message from Don Moss in Springfield:

As you know, the legislative Commission Government Forecasting and

Accountability held a hearing on December 11 on the advisability of

closing the Howe Developmental Center and the Tinley Park Mental

Health Center.

Because those who were opposed to the closures were allowed to testify

first and were very emotional about it, plus the fact that many

legislators had left by the time those in support of the closures

could testify, observers felt that the " anti's " carried the day.

An additional worry is that Lt. Governor Quinn has indicated that when

he is given powers as Governor, he plans to look at all the executive

decisions made by Governor Blagojevich and evaluate whether they

should be continued.

This could mean a possible reversal of the Howe closing and the

reopening of the Lincoln Developmental Center.

In any case, we urge those living in or providing services in the

districts of the Commission members should again urge them to support

the closing of the Howe Developmental Center and strenuously oppose

the use of " Lincoln Estates " for persons with developmental disabilities.

Here again are the members of the Commission:

Senator Jeff Schoenberg, ton Co-Chair

Representative Rich Myers, Macomb Co-Chair

Senator Bill Brady, Bloomington

Representative Patti Bellock, Westmont

Senator Don Harmon, Oak Park

Representative Mautino, Spring Valley

Senator Larry Bombke, Springfield (the new replacement for Senator

Radogno)*

Representative Bob Molaro, Chicago

Senator Dave Syverson, Rockford

Representative Elaine Nekritz, Des Plaines

Senator Donne Trotter, Chicago

Representative Poe, Springfield