Gov. Quinn's budget priorities are upside down, cutting community services for the developmentally disabled while sparing costly state institutions run by his union cronies. - chicagotribune

Gov. Quinn's budget priorities are upside down, cutting community services for the developmentally disabled while sparing costly state institutions run by his union cronies. - chicagotribune.com

Editorials : Unkindest cuts : May 23, 2011

Even with a tax increase, Illinois is broke, owes billions of dollars and needs to make deep budget cuts. Practically everyone who depends on the state will take a hit. There will be pain. By making smart cuts, however, the state can avoid unnecessary pain.

Unfortunately, Gov. Pat Quinn has targeted some of Illinois' most vulnerable citizens for his least sensible cuts.

Experts in the field calculate that in his proposed budget for 2012, Quinn whacks $76.3 million from community services for the developmentally disabled: That includes people with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other challenges. At the same time, Quinn directs $30 million in additional spending to state institutions that serve far fewer residents at much higher costs. His budget similarly favors institutional care for mental health over a community-based approach. Along the way, he would forgo tens of millions in federal matching dollars.

How wrongheaded can you get? For decades now, other states have moved away from institutionalizing the developmentally disabled and mentally ill in government-run facilities — with great success. Care is better, and costs far lower. Indiana recently went in that direction, and the results have been positive.

Illinois institutionalizes far more people than most states. While the estimates vary, government-run facilities for the developmentally disabled cost as much as $500 a day per resident. A community group home typically runs $135 a day, with superior outcomes

State legislators have pushed back on this issue. Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, is among those who aim to reverse the direction of Quinn's budget by cutting funding for state-run centers and boosting it for community providers. "For many, many years, we've been behind on this," she noted. Budget cuts present an opportunity to bring Illinois up to 21st century standards.

Last fall, Quinn signed an astonishing agreement with the state's public labor union that promised no layoffs and no facility shutdowns through mid-2012. Quinn's reward: an immediate endorsement from the union for his re-election bid.

Governor, you made a bad promise you can't in good conscience keep. If you keep it, it will be at the expense of Illinois' most vulnerable citizens.

It's appalling to think of the political calculus that went into slashing dental care and home-based supports for the developmentally disabled while hiring hundreds of new state employees and handing pay hikes to the rest. Talk about skewed priorities.

Disability advocates say the state could save roughly $170 million by closing four of its eight institutions. This needs to happen in a way that's least disruptive for the patients at these institutions. But it needs to happen.

That agreement by the governor — he signed it alone. The House and Senate members didn't sign it. They should agree on a budget that requires Illinois to live within its means and that funds the most cost-effective services in the state.

And governor, if you're tempted to twirl a veto pen to preserve your labor deal — remember which citizens you'll harm.

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