article by Jim Watkins, Ability Chicago Info | July 6, 2015
With the State of Illinois still at a impasse for budget, at least one Center for Independent Living has closed its doors for the duration of the budget impasse. This means at least a few hundred people with disabilities in the far northwest of Illinois have lost supports from that CIL.
Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living or NICIL in Sterling, IL. has had to make tough decisions over the years, but their decision on Thursday July 2, the toughest.
NICIL has been around for 30 years helping people with disabilities live on their own through programs they offer. They serve 300 people in five Illinois counties. Their contract with the state ended June 30th and with no budget set for next year, a new contract can’t start, forcing NICIL to close its doors and lay off eight employees.
NICIL has very little in reserves. If the budget isn’t passed by mid-September it will reopen until their reserves are gone, so they can save money now and use it later when there is a greater need for service in the fall.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONTACT GOVERNOR RAUNER'S OFFICE, AND YOUR LEGISLATURES. MORE AGENCIES, AND SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE PUT IN A POSITION TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS AS WE FACE THE ISSUES IN ILLINOIS.
With the State of Illinois still at a impasse for budget, at least one Center for Independent Living has closed its doors for the duration of the budget impasse. This means at least a few hundred people with disabilities in the far northwest of Illinois have lost supports from that CIL.
Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living or NICIL in Sterling, IL. has had to make tough decisions over the years, but their decision on Thursday July 2, the toughest.
NICIL has been around for 30 years helping people with disabilities live on their own through programs they offer. They serve 300 people in five Illinois counties. Their contract with the state ended June 30th and with no budget set for next year, a new contract can’t start, forcing NICIL to close its doors and lay off eight employees.
NICIL has very little in reserves. If the budget isn’t passed by mid-September it will reopen until their reserves are gone, so they can save money now and use it later when there is a greater need for service in the fall.
“Every day for a person with disabilities can be difficult without support, so there’s no good day to cut off services,” said Michele Miller, executive director for NICIL.
Lawmakers are expected to return to the capital Tuesday, July 7th, to discuss the budget.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONTACT GOVERNOR RAUNER'S OFFICE, AND YOUR LEGISLATURES. MORE AGENCIES, AND SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS CAN BE PUT IN A POSITION TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS AS WE FACE THE ISSUES IN ILLINOIS.
AT THE VERY LEAST WE NEED A TEMPORARY STATE BUDGET - BUT ALSO SERVICES THAT EFFECT THOSE IN THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY OF ALL AGES ARE AT A REAL RISK OF REDUCTIONS, AND SOME SERVICES BEING TOTALLY ELIMINATED!
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