Illinoisans Speaking Out Across State on Severe Budget Cuts We All Face

The following information was shared by many of our colleagues throughout Illinois. 
The Important Updates from Access Living will continue to link us together throughout Illinois.Please continue to share information as we the disability community in Illinois continue together in this year we all face real budget cuts, and elimination of programs that will effect our independence.

Dear Access Living friends and allies,

This past Monday (06/22), Representative Robin Gabel held a town hall in Evanston with the Center for Independent Futures and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to discuss disability rights. Many people in the audience had questions about the state budget, including whether payments for home care workers and the Home Based Services and Supports program would stop (too early to tell, is the answer).

 

Also on Monday night, Representative Michelle Mussman hosted a town hall on the budget in Hoffman Estates. Many parents of people with disabilities expressed concerns there.

 

Last night in Naperville, Senator Mike Connelly and Representative Grant Wehrli held a town hall on the budget cuts that reportedly attracted several hundred people, mostly seniors and people with disabilities.

 

This morning in Chicago, the Responsible Budget Coalition held an excellent press conference on the impact of possible human service cuts to many providers, who could be forced to reduce hours, lay off staff or close down completely.

 

This afternoon in Rochelle, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois is facilitating a roundtable discussion on the budget cuts and human services.

 

This evening, Senator Heather Steans, Representative Greg Harris and Representative Kelly Cassidy will hold a town hall at St. Andrew’s from 7 pm to 8:30, at 5649 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago.

 

Tomorrow, June 25, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm is the Community Values Rally hosted by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus at 5071 W. Congress Parkway in Chicago.

 

Also tomorrow, June 25, Bloomington area disability advocates will host a press conference at 11 am in front of the Old Courthouse at 200 N. Main in Bloomington.

 

On Monday, June 29, Representative Stephanie Kifowit will hold a Community Meeting on the State Budget inOswego from 6 to 7:30 pm. It will be in the Community Room at Oswego East High School, at 1525 Harvey Road. For more info call 630-585-1308.

 

Also on Monday June 29, Senator Julie Morrison and Representative Elaine Nekritz will host a community meeting from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Northbrook library, 1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook. For more info call 847-945-5200 or 847-229-5499.

 

On July 2, Representative Ann Williams will host a town hall on the budget from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Lincoln-Belmont Library, 1659 W. Melrose, Chicago.

 

Please continue to send me reports of upcoming town halls or press conferences around the state, focusing on the state budget, or events that happened in the last week. Remember that you can check your state senator and state representative’s offices to see if they are having community events. If you do not know your state senator and your state representative, use this link to look them up. It is so important for people with disabilities and seniors to be at these events to represent yourselves, especially with problems like the DON score change, cuts to Chicago paratransit, and other cuts affecting us all around the state. Speak up, speak out.

Let’s go Illinois!

 

Amber Smock

Director of Advocacy, Access Living