Serenity House in Addison has been treating people with substance-abuse problems for more than 20 years. Now the program and others like it may have to cut services because of a slash in state funding.

As part of his attempt to close a $2 billion shortfall in the budget approved this year by the Illinois General Assembly, Gov. Rod Blagojevich cut $55 million in funding for the Illinois Division of Substance Abuse. The cuts also jeopardize an additional $55 million in matching federal funds.

“These cuts will have a significant impact on the entire community,” said Linda Snipes, director of development at Serenity House. “Cutting treatment services will not save money.

“Serenity House has already lost $300,000 of its funding as a result of the recent cuts,” she said. Some programs already have been dropped as a result, she added.

By cutting funding for the programs, the state will see an increases in crime, fatal car crashes and domestic violence and more crowding in prisons and jails, Snipes said.

The DuPage County Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution calling for the governor and the state Legislature to reverse the cuts.

“I think it’s outrageous and reckless that the state of Illinois and the governor have made the cuts they have,” said County Board member Michael McMahon, R-3rd District, of Hinsdale, who is chairman of the board’s Judicial and Public Safety Committee. 

“I don’t think there’s a single person in the county that doesn’t have a family member, they themselves or a friend that’s been touched by alcoholism or substance abuse,” McMahon said after the board approved the measure.

Other programs in DuPage County affected by the cuts include Glen Ellyn-based Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities and Aurora-based Breaking Free.

Karen Notko is an administrator with Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, better known as TASC. The statewide program evaluates and treats some offenders in the court system who have substance-abuse problems.

She said the County Board showing its support for these programs helps demonstrate their importance to legislators.

“It will keep it at the forefront, and it won’t take a back seat,” Notko said.

Despite the budget cuts, TASC has chosen not to cut any services this year.

“We are going to continue through November and base everything on the fact that not if it’s restored, but when it’s restored,” she said. “We’ve been fighting tooth and nail to get the funding restored to the full treatment system. ... We’re not letting it go.”