Arc Post

The Arc of Illinois

July 2, 2009

Leaders in The Arc:

This morning The Arc Board, Staff and Exec's met to discuss next steps in restoring the cuts to human services.

Here are some things you can be doing as the Human Services Coalition crafts its statewide plan.

See the memo at the end about 4th of July Parade actions to consider this weekend!

Tony Paulauski
The Arc of Illinois
815-464-1832

Our message to legislators and the press continues to be: "We need a permanent long term solution to the budget crisis. Please support HB 174. Restore 100% of the cuts to human services."

Other talking points:

The "doomsday" budget will eliminate services for 30,000 infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Community non-profits are economic engines in their communities. We support the local economy. We pay taxes. We employ residents. We support people and families.
Did you know that the "doomsday" budget which will devastate our disability services is losing $731 million in Federal Medicaid Match within the Division of Developmental Disabilities?
Illinois ranks 51st in small community housing.
Illinois ranks 47th in community disability services funding.
Here is what the loss of services means to me..
Here is what the loss of services means to my family..

Here is a summary of possible next steps for action.

The Arc will:

Work to defeat the override of SB 1197.
Work to pass HB 174.
Work in coalition with the Human Services Coalition.
Work with the coalition on a statewide media plan.

Local advocates can:
Email me the numbers of people being laid off and the number of people losing services. I will share that data with the Governor and the Leaders.
Ask the people being laid off and the people losing services to visit their State Representative and Senator and ask them what they should do now.
You should visit with your Representative and Senator and inform them face to face that you had to lay off # number of employees and end services for # of individuals.
Work to defeat the override of SB 1197.
Work to pass HB 174.
Meet with your Representative and Senator now that they are in their local offices.
Develop an economic impact statement on the number of lost jobs lost in your community because of budget cuts. Also include a statement about how large your organization budget is, number of people employed and number of persons served.
Develop a statement on what will happen to people who lose services. Stress that you are actually saving taxpayers money because the institutionalization of the people we support will cost taxpayers three times the cost of economical, safe and effective community services.
Share these statements with the press and legislators.
Continue letters to the editor.
Support the efforts of the Human Service Coalition.
Here are some excellent suggestions from Barbara Weiner about actions at the 4th of July parades and legislators in them.

From: Barbara Weiner Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 6:50 PMTo: CEOs of the Legal Consultation Program
Subject: July 4th - an opportunity to tell your story

The Legislature should be working on the budget crisis. 4th of July parades are an excellent opportunity for you to bring these issues to your community. If you State Rep or State Senator voted for the tax increase-hold up signs saying _____ Agency or the (mentally ill, developmentally disabled or children) of ___County thank you for your support.

If they did not- point it out and hold up signs when their car passes by about turning their backs on the most vulnerable in our community. "Put back "Human" in Human Services" and other sayings. Ideally, clients and their families will get in the spirit and make themselves known and the impact of the cuts. Clients with signs "Why don't you care about me?" or "Where I am suppose to go?"
The Legislators need to see the faces of the people they are harming. Urge your employees to participate.
Waiting until mid-July to begin this process again is unacceptable and further demonstrates they do not understand the impact of what has occurred already.

It would be nice to get away from this for one day, but this is an opportunity to bring the message home.

If you get any good publicity or feel this makes a difference, send me an email afterwards.

We are in this together. With all of the energy of all of my dedicated clients and their employees we should be able to prevail.

Barbara A. Weiner
513 Central Avenue
5th Floor
Highland Park, Il 60035
847-266-2040