Illinois government’s method for dealing with the developmentally-disabled illustrates a state immobilized by its own disability to provide for the special needs people who call it home.
That, in nutshell, is how legislators describe Springfield these days.
State legislators fielded questions from about 200 care givers and receivers of the services they provide at a legislative forum Oct. 8 sponsored by the Lyons Township Mental Health Commission.
State officials pulled no punches about how dire the situation is. There is no money. Money is mismanaged. Politics plays an imbedded role in allocating the money.
And yet for all those explanations, Kathleen Becker of Western Springs is wondering what the future holds in store for her and her daughter, 11-year-old Grace, a sunny, blond fifth-grader with an impish disposition — and cerebral palsy.
“I’m a single mom, my daughter receives services from Community Support Services, our funding was cut in half,” she said. “The only reason we have any funding is because Lyons Township funded half the services.”
Becker also lost funding that provided for a respite worker, someone to assist in the 24/7 care Grace requires. As a result, Becker must take Grace with her everywhere she goes.
“That little bit I got is being cut,” she said. “Now I’m feeling it. My mom lives with me. She’s aging and is having problems helping me take care of my daughter now.
“(Grace) feels it because she enjoyed having a respite worker for her,” she said. “It was kind of her time to do whatever she wanted. It was my time to do whatever I wanted.”
Becker and her daughter kidded each other about the months they have been bound to each other without a rest.
“I’m not asking for anything but to be able to go to work every day and to know I can have reliable care to help me take care of my daughter,” Becker said.
Grace also has a very simple question for those who hold the purse strings.
“How can you help with kids with disabilities if that money is cut?” Grace said.
Among the legislators were State Sen. and House Minority Leader Christine Radogno,
Rep. R- 41st District, La Grange; State Rep. James Durkin, R-82nd District, Western Springs; State Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-21st District, Summit; and State Rep. Kevin Joyce, D-35th District, Worth.
The legislators described Springfield’s budget system as running amok, fraught with systemic problems that have led to complete neglect of providers of human services and most importantly, the people in need of those services.
Radogno said human services have been consistently left out in terms of priorities.
“This state, in even the most flush times over the past five years, how much did human services get? Nothing,” Radogno said.
She added it was not enough to just ask for more money, but urged providers and users to join together to change the way the state works, and make sure they get a place in the revenue stream.
Radogno also said that it was the governor who presents the budget, and it is they whose feet must be held to the fire.
“There has never been a (Illinois) governor who was an advocate for human services,” Radogno said.
Durkin said while an increase in taxes may fill the state coffers, that did not mean human services would benefit.
“We can bring more money into the state but that’s no guarantee it’s going to go the right place,” Durkin said.
Zalewski, who is serving his first term, said he has received a quick education on the budget process.
“What I learned was the state budget is really rigid,” he said. “Whatever is left over is what human services gets, and I think that’s unfortunate.”
Joyce said partisan politics plays a part as well in the shortfall.
“We all have to get our houses in order,” he said. “Your issues transcend politics.”
Attending were representatives from Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center, which serves about 500 children and adults with mild to severe disabilities; Community Support Services, which provides and promotes services for the developmentally disabled and their families; Pillars, a provider of mental health and social services in 36 communities, as well as several other agencies providing state-funded care.
