SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Three state representatives Wednesday night assured advocates for people with disabilities their voices will be heard if they speak in unison about the need to close more of the state’s eight institutional housing facilities for people with disabilities.
And advocates say they’re ready to band together and contact legislators about the benefits they say the state could realize if more institutions are closed.
Showing posts with label The ARC of Illinios. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The ARC of Illinios. Show all posts
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Editorial: Finally, Having a Say
Just a brilliant editorial in the Chicago Sun-Times today, regarding the expected ruling by a Federal judge in the settlement of a lawsuit. Hopefully other states will see the light.
Most states recognized a long time ago that people with developmental disabilities are just like the rest of us.
They want to work. They want to choose where they live and with whom. And they don’t want to be cut off from the rest of society.
States that have seen the light have moved away from warehousing people with disabilities in large, residential facilities in favor of placing them in smaller, community-based settings.
Illinois, though, continues to rely heavily on institutional care for the disabled and the mentally ill, spending less per capita on community-based services than just about any other state.
Most states recognized a long time ago that people with developmental disabilities are just like the rest of us.
They want to work. They want to choose where they live and with whom. And they don’t want to be cut off from the rest of society.
States that have seen the light have moved away from warehousing people with disabilities in large, residential facilities in favor of placing them in smaller, community-based settings.
Illinois, though, continues to rely heavily on institutional care for the disabled and the mentally ill, spending less per capita on community-based services than just about any other state.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Opinion: Illinois Cuts Will Prove Costly
Guest column by Tony Paulauski, executive director of The Arc of Illinois, in the Rockford Register Star.
Illinois is planning devastating cuts in services for individuals with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities. These cuts target our most vulnerable citizens and are being sold as a way to balance Illinois' estimated $13 billion deficit. The truth is, these cuts are shortsighted and will send us on a path of destruction.
Illinois ranks last in the nation for supporting citizens with disabilities in their home communities. Disability services that are the lifeline to more than 220,000 people with disabilities, and their families have already experienced deep cuts and are hanging by a thread. In addition to funding reductions several critical programs are being eliminated, and it’s estimated that 3,052 direct care staff will be laid off as a result. At the same time the budget calls for the hiring of 950 state employees and grants union employees an 8.25 percent wage increase.
Illinois is planning devastating cuts in services for individuals with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities. These cuts target our most vulnerable citizens and are being sold as a way to balance Illinois' estimated $13 billion deficit. The truth is, these cuts are shortsighted and will send us on a path of destruction.
Illinois ranks last in the nation for supporting citizens with disabilities in their home communities. Disability services that are the lifeline to more than 220,000 people with disabilities, and their families have already experienced deep cuts and are hanging by a thread. In addition to funding reductions several critical programs are being eliminated, and it’s estimated that 3,052 direct care staff will be laid off as a result. At the same time the budget calls for the hiring of 950 state employees and grants union employees an 8.25 percent wage increase.
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