to our so-called Legislative Leaders. It asks them to put together a
sensible, balanced state budget while not balancing it on the backs of
society's most vulnerable citizens. If you are from Illinois, first read
and enjoy this letter, then, send one of your own to your state
representative and senator.
June 15, 2009
Honorable Senator Dan Cronin
313 S. Main Street
Lombard, IL 60148
To Honorable Senator Cronin:
I am writing to strongly urge you to communicate this message to the
Illinois Senate Leadership. That message is, work with Governor Quinn and
negotiate for a sensible, balanced budget which doesn't cut vital human
services which people in Illinois need and depend on.
I am making this request on two fronts. First, I work for an agency which
receives funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of
Rehabilitation Services. If we lose 50% of our rehabilitation funding, it
means we can't help as many people who are blind or visually impaired find
employment. Ask any person who is blind what they want most of all, and
they will say, without question, a job. Individuals with disabilities,
including those who are blind or visually impaired who are employed spend
money in our communities buying homes, patronizing businesses large and
small, and paying taxes. During the economic times in which we live, we
need to be doing as much as we can to help all Illinois citizens find
employment, including those with disabilities which includes those who are
blind or visually impaired. People who are blind or visually impaired have
an unacceptable 70% unemployment rate. Without proper funding, the division
of rehabilitation services cannot help these individuals find work which
will increase our welfare roles and costs.
Cutting funds from rehabilitation is especially harmful in another way.
State dollars which are put into rehabilitation services are used to access
Federal rehabilitation dollars. For every $1 of state funding which is cut
from rehabilitation services, $4 in Federal funds are lost as the state
match is 20%. So, every $1 in state funding which is cut is like cutting a
total of $5. Every $1 million is like cutting $5 million. You get the
idea.
I also sit on the Board of Directors for the DuPage Center for Independent
Living in your district. If the dooms day budget becomes law, this center
will lose $103,000 in state funds. This means staff will lose their jobs
and about half of the consumers this center now serves will not be served.
What will happen to the rest of them? Any number of things from their
becoming homeless, or having to go on public assistance, at higher cost to
the state. The staff who lose their jobs will need to seek unemployment,
thereby increasing costs to the state.
This center has for almost 19 years provided high quality services to
individuals with disabilities living in DuPage County. I enjoyed three
years working professionally for this center. However, this is not the
worst of things. The DuPage Center is one of 23 centers for independent
living across the state. If the dooms day budget becomes law, these centers
are all having to look at very devastating cuts in staff and services, and
perhaps, even closing their dors. In some areas, the center for independent
living is the only service provider available to individuals with
disabilities where they can receive needed services.
Again, Senator Cronin, I urge you as strongly as I can to ask the Senate
leadership to sit down with Governor Quinn and commit to negotiating a
balance budget which doesn't force Illinois' most vulnerable citizens to
bear the brunt of spending and service cuts. Remember, a society is judged
by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. We in Illinois won't be
judged very well if the dooms day budget becomes law. I thank you in
advance for your time and actions to help the legislature and Governor reach
a sensible, sustainable balanced budget that preserves needed services and
programs.
Sincerely,
<my name>
Cc: Illinois Senate President John Cullerton
Illinois Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno
Governor Pat Quin
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