For Immediate Release
Contact:
Lisa Reyes
(847) 221-7825
lreyes@littlecity.org
Rick Johnson
(847) 221-7831
rjohnson@littlecity.org
Little City Foundation Battles for Rights of Individuals with Disabilities in Springfield and Meets with Legislators Day Before Governor’s Budget Address
As Governor Pat Quinn prepared to address Illinois with his ideas on how to reform the state budget, Little City Foundation last week spoke to numerous legislators, state agency representatives and advocates to ensure appropriated funds and the rights of individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were protected
PALATINE, IL – March 16, 2010 – More than 30 state legislators, advocates and key state leaders met with Little City Foundation on Tuesday, March 9, at the Sangamo Club in Springfield to learn about the needs of Little City and the hundreds of families it serves throughout the Chicago area.
“We want to make sure the state doesn’t balance the budget on the backs of people with disabilities,” commented Executive Director Shawn Jeffers. “We fully support budget reform throughout the state but when your state is 51st in the nation for residential funding for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and is ranked 40th for overall support for this population, we gain very little as a state community when we make additional cuts to this already embarrassingly poorly funded area.”
State Senators Matt Murphy and Pam Althoff (left to right) gain insightful information on DD funding from Shawn Jeffers, pictured above with Little City Resident Joe Dus, adviser for the Little City Advocacy Group.
Little City’s legislative requests include (but are not limited to):
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Release of approved funding already appropriated for Little City from the Capital Plan for its Health & Wellness Center (specialized medical and dental care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities): $80,000 appropriated for the removal of asbestos and rehab of the Medical Center.
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Release of approved funding already appropriated for Little City from the Capital Plan for its Social Business Enterprise (document destruction equipment for Little City’s vocational programs, which employs hundreds of individuals with disabilities): $150,000 for purchase and installation of new document destruction equipment.
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Approval of a “fair wage” for direct care staff throughout Illinois.
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Protection of the current funding for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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Diligence and careful assessment of the proposed managed care system for individuals with disabilities.
Little City Foundation also provided state representatives with staggering statistics of Illinois’ most vulnerable citizens.
“Little City isn’t looking for a ‘handout;’ we constantly strive to create vocational opportunities and partnerships with local businesses employing individuals with disabilities with a ‘hand up’ who want to contribute to the community,” commented Little City Board President Fred Lebed. “During this historic state crisis, it’s critical that we work together to determine how to stimulate our economy, increase revenue and think strategically when we cut, to ensure that we are protecting the future of our State.”
More than 30 state legislators and state agency representatives attended Little City’s advocacy event in Springfield including State Senator Kirk Dillard (back, left) and State Rep. Suzie Bassi (back, center). Little City representatives (left to right) Joe Dus, Ed Hockfield, Fred Lebed, Shawn Jeffers and Lisa Reyes advocate above.
To help champion for individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities, donate at www.littlecity.org/support or learn more and sign up for news at www.littlecity.org.
For additional information, contact Lisa Reyes at lreyes@littlecity.org or at 847-221-7825.
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