CCDI ACTION ALERT : Illinois Jacksonville Institution Closure : WLDS Radio Questionable Agenda

As Shared By the Coalition for People with Disabilities in Illinois (CCDI)

This morning we learned that Bill Gorman from SILC was interviewed on WLDS radio in Jacksonville regarding the closure of Jacksonville State Operated Developmental Center. The WLDS radio host informed him that Bill was the ONLY person who he had heard of who supported the closure. !!! We at CCDI know that disability advocates across the state support closure. We must make our voices heard!
We have got to take action here to let this radio station know that the disability community across this state wants and needs Jacksonville SODC to close. We want Illinois to be free of large long term care institutions that warehouse people with disabilities! Community integration is our civil right.
Below you can find the contact info for WLDS and WEAI radio stations in Jacksonville. Call and/or email them today to let them know why the closure of Jacksonville SODC is important for disability rights in Illinois. Here is an example of what you can say:
“Hello, my name is _________ and I am a member of the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois. I am calling to let you know that the disability community here in Illinois and across the country supports the closure of Jacksonville Developmental Center. People with all types of disabilities are better served in the community, and it is time for Illinois to get rid of large long term care institutions that waste taxpayer dollars and violate civil rights. We need to change to a system of community based supports that both integrate people with disability in the community, and provide jobs for workers.”
In particular if you are a family member of a person with a severe disability, or a person with a severe disability living in the community, please, please call this radio station and tell them your story. They need to know that community integration works for people with disabilities, and that it creates jobs.

Here is the contact info. Please call or email WLDS today!
WLDS/WEAI
2161 Old State Road
Jacksonville, IL 62650
Business Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM

Main: (217) 245-7171
Fax: (217) 245-6711
WLDS/WEAI Newsroom: (217) 243-4712
WLDS On-Air Line: (217) 243-4351
WEAI Request Line: (217) 243-2800

To contact WLDS/WEAI News about a news story or event, please email us at news@wlds.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

To communicate a show idea, topic or guest, please email each station directly.
WLDS: wlds@wlds.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
WEAI: weai@weai.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

###

Thanks to CCDI, and please share this ACTION ALERT and let our thoughts and voices be heard...TY