URGENT! Contact Your Legislator Today!

Urgent Action Needed to Ensure FY15 Budget Invests in Community Care

The Illinois General Assembly is poised to take action on a critical issue this week that will decide the fate of community-based services and supports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities - whether or not they will vote to maintain existing income tax levels.

A vote to maintain existing income tax levels means revenues are available to maintain community-based services and supports as well as invest in priority areas. For example, the current budget plan would do the following:

• ​Provide a $1.00 per hour wage increase for direct service personnel working in community-based ID/DD agencies;
• Increase the personal needs allowance for residents of ICFDDs and CILAs to $60 per month (no increase since 1987); and
• Increase funding for Respite Services.

HOWEVER, no action by the General Assembly to maintain tax levels will eliminate these critical investments AND lead to severe and destructive cuts to community-based services!

To ensure your voice is heard and your support for community-based care is clearly communicated during these important days, we need you to call your state Senator and Representative IMMEDIATELY and urge them to take responsible action to preserve community-based services and supports!!

Below is a list the list of legislators with phone numbers we need you to call:

House Representative Elaine Nekritz – District 57

Springfield Office phone: (217) 558-1004

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

House Representative Robyn Gabel – District 18

Springfield Office phone: (217) 782-8052

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

House Representative Lou Lang – District 16

Springfield Office phone: (217) 782-1252

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

House Representative Greg Harris – District 13

Springfield Office phone: (217) 782-3835

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Senator Heather Steans – District 7

Springfield Office phone: (217) 782-8492

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

OR Springfield Office staff member Robert Toledo: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When you call your legislator(s) you will likely speak to an assistant or staff member.

Please provide:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The reason you are calling - i.e - family member of a person receiving services at Search, staff working at Search, etc.

Please make sure the assistant or staff member takes down the following specific messages from you:

• the current budget plan includes additional resources for areas important to me and my family, such as a $1.00 wage increase for DSPs, a rate increase for Respite Services and an increase in the personal needs allowance.
• these investments are critical to supporting community care;
• please vote to maintain existing income tax levels to ensure the state budget includes these priorities.

Please thank the assistant or staff member for taking the message and request a response from your legislator.

Thank you for taking action to support the best possible community care for people with intellectual disabilities!