Illinois: 51 and FAILING
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Two agencies were chosen to speak on the radio September 19th about the devastating funding cuts targeted at community providers serving persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
NorthPointe Resources' Dina Donohue-Chase and Kathy Dekas from Countryside (located in Palatine, IL) were interviewed by Libby Collins. The subject matter is one that concerns voters statewide - that our most vulnerable citizens are not adequately represented nor cared for by the State of Illinois.
New Study ranks Illinois 51st in the U.S. – and Illinois continues It’s downward spiral in Funding Community Developmental Disability Services; NAMI gives Illinois an ‘F’ for lack of Funding of Community Mental Health Services.
NorthPointe Resources and other community service agencies across the State are calling on members of the Senate to return to Springfield and join House Representatives in reversing devastating funding cuts targeted at community providers serving persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
“In light of recent reports of Illinois’ dismal investment in community services I cannot begin to comprehend the Governors vetoes of necessary funding appropriations and the GOMB’s implementation directives to the Department of Human Services to make devastating cuts” states Dina Chase, Senior Vice President of NorthPointe Resources. “Our Governor and Senate Leader do not understand the destruction occurring in community agencies across the state! They are not hearing the pleas of individuals, families and advocates that are sharing their stories of fear of losing the only resource they have for support.”
Two studies have recently been published that illustrate the need for additional funding for community developmental disability (DD) and mental health (MH) services, David Braddock’s 2008 State of the States in Developmental Disabilities has ranked Illinois 51st (when the District of Columbia is included) in the United States in funding for community residential DD services in settings of 6 or fewer individuals.
According to the University of Illinois Rate Study, commissioned by the General Assembly, the community services system is underfunded by as much as 25%, while the Blueprint for System Redesign, commissioned by the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, suggests the DD system needs at least $200 - $250 million to bring Illinois to the mid-point among resource investment made by states nationally.
It’s important that the citizens of Lake County understand that our most vulnerable citizens are not adequately represented nor cared for by the State of Illinois. A flat budget or “maintenance budget” was already threatening existing services, but to level significant funding cuts has ominous implications for individuals and organizations throughout Illinois. NorthPointe Resources was notified in late August of cuts reaching over $200,000. How do you begin to make up this type of deficit without significantly compromising quality services and supports?” states Dina Chase.
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Last week the House passed a Supplemental Appropriations bill funded by a limited Funds Sweep. This would restore cuts made by the Department of Human Services and provide a measure of relief for community agencies and assist with pressures associated with delayed state payments. All of this will not be realized however, unless the Senate returns to Springfield before the end of Sept. to deal with the measures approved by the House that would restore funding back to the FY08 annualized levels. This is something that President Emil Jones has refused to do despite urgings from his caucus.
We need everyone’s support to ensure the voices of our most vulnerable citizens are heard” At this time we are reaching out to our friends and neighbors to contact their local Senators and the Senate President and let them know they need to return to Springfield and support measures to restore critical funding to community providers” pleads Chase.