Post by lorip on Jun 15, 2009 22:04:17 GMT -5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kathryn Nelson Contact: Lori HornickDuPage Federation on Human Services Reform Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities146 W. Roosevelt Rd. 2801 Finley Rd.Villa Park, IL 60181 Downers Grove, IL 60515Phone: (630) 782-7545 Phone: (630) 628-7174
Call to Action: DuPage County Human Services Providers Join toProtest Budget Cuts at June 19th Rally Wheaton, IL, June 15, 2009 - DuPage County Human Service Providers, their participants and families and supporters are joining ranks to show our legislators the impact that drastic state budget cuts will have on the lives of DuPage County residents at a rally on Friday, June 19th at 2 pm in the courtyard outside the DuPage County Courthouse (west side of the court buildings and east side of 421 County Farm Road) in Wheaton. On June 12, 2009 many human service agencies across the state were notified by the State of Illinois that funding for multiple human service programs is being completely eliminated effective July 1, 2009. Thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, the homeless, those in need of emergency food, people with mental illness and working parents and many others will not receive services if these budget cuts are not restored. That's because the state cannot balance its budget and has slashed funding to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Rehabilitative Service and services funded through state grants, which pays organizations to provide services like these. Upon hearing the news from June 12, some parents and family members expressed shock and disbelief. "I know you are probably being inundated with questions like mine," wrote Judi Heikes, whose 46-year-old son receives supported living arrangement or SLA services. "But where would Brendan live, or whom should we contact regarding housing issues?" Agencies were also notified that additional budget cuts of 20 - 30 percent for other programs are pending for the very near future, which if enacted, would result in the closure of additional programs. Human Services agencies across DuPage County are asking their supporters to attend the rally on Friday and to contact their legislators to put a human face on the impact of these budget cuts. Please make your voice is known to your State Senator and State Representative, urging them to consider the needs of people like Brendan and to restore funding for programs that support DuPage County's most vulnerable populations. If you do not know who to call or email go to http://www.il.gov<http://www.il.gov>... and put in your zip code for a list of local legislators. For more information on Friday's rally, please contact: Kathryn Nelson at the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform at 146 W. Roosevelt Rd., Villa Park, IL 60181, 630.782.7545 or Lori Hornick at Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities at 2801 Finley Rd., Downers Grove, IL 60515.
http://www.il.gov<http
In addition, there are 5 people to be calling - preferably today and tomorrow!
Gov. Quinn - 312-814-2121 or 217-782-0244
Sen. Christine Radogno - 630-243-0800 or 217-782-9407
Sen. John Cullerton - 773-883-0770 or 217-782-7260
Tom Cross - 815-254-0000 or 312-814-2053
Speaker Mike Madigan - 773-581-8000 or 217-782-5350
These individuals are supposedly meeting tomorrow to discuss the budget. I have no idea why these individuals are being targeted as the ones to contact but that's what I was told. If this meeting is a go, they are supposed to be meeting in Chicago so the local numbers should work. Please call, so much depends on this. These cuts are happening as agencies are notifying staff and families that services will be cut.
Here are some email addresses for John Cullerton (john@senatorcullerton.com), Senator Christine Rodogno (cradogno@sbcglobal.net) and Rep Michael Madigan (mmadigan@hds.ilga.gov). Please email them with a simple request: RESTORE THE CUTS TO HUMAN SERVICES. Please help send a message to these individuals so that the state approves a budget that does not cut services to individuals and families with disabilities. Whether you are in the disability community or not, please consider assisting in this effort.
Call to Action: DuPage County Human Services Providers Join toProtest Budget Cuts at June 19th Rally Wheaton, IL, June 15, 2009 - DuPage County Human Service Providers, their participants and families and supporters are joining ranks to show our legislators the impact that drastic state budget cuts will have on the lives of DuPage County residents at a rally on Friday, June 19th at 2 pm in the courtyard outside the DuPage County Courthouse (west side of the court buildings and east side of 421 County Farm Road) in Wheaton. On June 12, 2009 many human service agencies across the state were notified by the State of Illinois that funding for multiple human service programs is being completely eliminated effective July 1, 2009. Thousands of people with disabilities, seniors, the homeless, those in need of emergency food, people with mental illness and working parents and many others will not receive services if these budget cuts are not restored. That's because the state cannot balance its budget and has slashed funding to the Department of Human Services, the Department of Rehabilitative Service and services funded through state grants, which pays organizations to provide services like these. Upon hearing the news from June 12, some parents and family members expressed shock and disbelief. "I know you are probably being inundated with questions like mine," wrote Judi Heikes, whose 46-year-old son receives supported living arrangement or SLA services. "But where would Brendan live, or whom should we contact regarding housing issues?" Agencies were also notified that additional budget cuts of 20 - 30 percent for other programs are pending for the very near future, which if enacted, would result in the closure of additional programs. Human Services agencies across DuPage County are asking their supporters to attend the rally on Friday and to contact their legislators to put a human face on the impact of these budget cuts. Please make your voice is known to your State Senator and State Representative, urging them to consider the needs of people like Brendan and to restore funding for programs that support DuPage County's most vulnerable populations. If you do not know who to call or email go to http://www.il.gov<http://www.il.gov>... and put in your zip code for a list of local legislators. For more information on Friday's rally, please contact: Kathryn Nelson at the DuPage Federation on Human Services Reform at 146 W. Roosevelt Rd., Villa Park, IL 60181, 630.782.7545 or Lori Hornick at Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities at 2801 Finley Rd., Downers Grove, IL 60515.
http://www.il.gov<http
In addition, there are 5 people to be calling - preferably today and tomorrow!
Gov. Quinn - 312-814-2121 or 217-782-0244
Sen. Christine Radogno - 630-243-0800 or 217-782-9407
Sen. John Cullerton - 773-883-0770 or 217-782-7260
Tom Cross - 815-254-0000 or 312-814-2053
Speaker Mike Madigan - 773-581-8000 or 217-782-5350
These individuals are supposedly meeting tomorrow to discuss the budget. I have no idea why these individuals are being targeted as the ones to contact but that's what I was told. If this meeting is a go, they are supposed to be meeting in Chicago so the local numbers should work. Please call, so much depends on this. These cuts are happening as agencies are notifying staff and families that services will be cut.
Here are some email addresses for John Cullerton (john@senatorcullerton.com), Senator Christine Rodogno (cradogno@sbcglobal.net) and Rep Michael Madigan (mmadigan@hds.ilga.gov). Please email them with a simple request: RESTORE THE CUTS TO HUMAN SERVICES. Please help send a message to these individuals so that the state approves a budget that does not cut services to individuals and families with disabilities. Whether you are in the disability community or not, please consider assisting in this effort.