|
Feeling
Illinois’ Pain
 Every
news source, whether internet, television or the old fashioned
newspaper, is filled with headlines screaming about the Illinois
budget cuts.
Teacher layoffs; four day school weeks. Troopers being riffed and
no terrorism task forces. Longer waits for public transportation
and no more free rides.
(Robert Okazaki,
Executive Director)
Most
people do not consider the impact that these government funded
services have on their lives until they are faced with the
possibility of a crowded classroom, becoming a crime victim or
paying more for the bus that never comes.
Individuals are taking notice because of a reduction or elimination
of their needed government service.
Today
the average citizen feels some pain. New and old media covers this,
resulting in expanded public awareness and even more people
concerned about the pain.
Knowing that their constituents are paying attention, political
leaders work harder to resolve these issues. Public pain subsides
until the next crisis.
For
everyone now feeling the pain of an inadequate Illinois budget,
welcome to the world of individuals with disabilities!
Today’s public pain is only a fraction of the budget hell that
Illinois' citizens with disabilities have experienced for the better
part of 20 years.
While
the average person does not remember a time when Illinois’ budget
was this bad, people with disabilities only have to look at last
year, the year before and all the years before that going back to
1991! Since then, Illinois has woefully underfunded the system by
over 50% when compared to our state's own cost-of-living
adjustments.
More
pain is in store for fiscal year 2011: 100% elimination of grants;
reductions in all other funding; and another 45+ day wait for
payments on top of the already bankrupting 150 day cycle.
There
is going to be real pain at Avenues, only soothed by the expectation
of hope coming from our friends and supporters. For 56 years, you
have been there to see us through all the good and bad times.
The
media is saying that the general public’s pain is starting to
recede. We need to ensure that the pain for people with
disabilities will diminish as well. Tell the state to triage its
budget for people with disabilities.
And,
don’t forget to help Avenues with a gift that will sustain our
programs for many years to come.
| 
