Lip service
Monday, Apr 2, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Three years ago today…
State funding cuts are threatening services for people living with autism, as families who receive help through a program called the Autism Project say they will be devastated by its elimination.
The Autism Project says Gov. Bruce Rauner confirmed the decision to cut funding for the remainder of the 2015 fiscal year Thursday - on World Autism Day.
* Politifact…
• Collins’ claim: Governor Rauner’s FY17 budget proposal called for the same types of freezes and cuts from his FY16 budget proposal.
• Our finding: Rauner’s budget did call for these freezes and cuts. The Project for Autism, DHS’ Homelessness Prevention program and After School Matter wouldn’t have received funding. […]
• Collins’ claim: Rauner, again, introduced a budget [for Fiscal Year 2018] without funding the above-mentioned programs [including The Project for Autism].
• Our finding: Rauner’s proposed FY18 budget shows this claim is correct.
* October 18, 2017…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has outlined more than $200 million in cuts officials say are necessary to help balance the budget lawmakers put in place over his veto, including reductions in areas he’s historically supported such as manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. […]
Among the cuts is $89 million that was set aside to pay for dozens of social service programs, such as homelessness prevention, addiction treatment and autism therapy
* Today…
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
In his first year in office, Bruce Rauner cut autism funding on World Autism Day and has continued decimating critical services every year since. In 2015, Rauner suspended a $1 million grant for autism programs, and he froze or completely eliminated autism funding in each of his budget proposals. JB Pritzker released the following statement on World Autism Day:
“Today and every day, let’s celebrate the unique talents of those with autism and work together to create a more understanding and accepting society,” said JB Pritzker. “While the world comes together to recognize the accomplishments of people with autism, Bruce Rauner cut autism funding on World Autism Day and continues to undermine critical programs that help Illinoisans build better lives. Bruce Rauner is a failed governor devoid of a moral compass, and when I’m governor, I will stand with our families and ensure autism programs are funded so all Illinoisans can succeed.”
…Adding… Comptroller Mendoza…
Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza visited the Willowglen Academy Monday to mark World Autism Day and to see the amazing work the non-profit does with children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comptroller Mendoza cheered a music and dance performance by the academy’s students and listened to the administrators’ concerns about state funding.
Monday marks three years since Governor Bruce Rauner cut funding for state autism programs on World Autism Day. The Governor has routinely proposed cuts in funding for autism and other state programs every year up to and including the budget he proposed in February for Fiscal Year 2019.
“The dedicated efforts of staff like those here at Willowglen to help Illinois residents with special needs lead fulfilling lives and receive dignified care deserve our enthusiastic support and should not be the first line of attack to solve state budget problems,” Comptroller Mendoza said. “My office will continue to prioritize state payments to the most vulnerable in Illinois.”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:35 pm:
Actions speak louder than words.
Rauner continues to be exactly who he is. This tweet is Rauner phony at its finest. Rauner knows who he is. Rauner counts on others to ignore his actions.
Educating voters on the phony, that’s Pritzker’s Crew’s job now.
Candidate Rauner continually let it be known how Pat Quinn failed.
This might be one of those times that educating voters is important to expose who Rauner really is.
- Honeybear - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:35 pm:
Perfidy
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
===This might be one of those times that educating voters is important to expose who Rauner really is.===
… and that release and statement and calling out Rauner as the failed governor he is… that’s getting it done. Keep plugging, keep at it. No quarter.
- JoanP - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
“. . . to build greater understanding and acceptance for those with autism.”
Sure, we’ll understand and accept you, we just won’t help you.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:41 pm:
Maybe this is just Bruce’s awkward way of trying to say he’s sorry for cutting all that autism funding and he realizes now how many mistakes he’s made and he wants to be better as a governor.
Right?
- wordslinger - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:41 pm:
It’s like what Adlai II said about Nixon: he’d cut down a redwood, then mount the stump to give a conservation speech.
- Nortorious RBG - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:42 pm:
Wow. This is beyond out of touch. Does the left hand know that the right hand is doing? Does the BTIA(TM) not have the knowledge of the governor’s past actions? Or is this just plain and simple hypocrisy? It’s hard to tell.
- wordslinger - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:45 pm:
–Does the BTIA(TM) not have the knowledge of the governor’s past actions? Or is this just plain and simple hypocrisy? It’s hard to tell.–\
Not on this subject. There’s a track record. Rauner’s had no trouble saying one thing and doing the exact opposite, regardless of who was working for him.
- Stand Tall - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
JB Pritzker would allow the abortion of those diagnosed with autism if there was a test for it during pregnancy so he talks out of both sides of his mouth as usual just as he does for those with Down Syndrome. They have unique talents and are an integral part of society unless a person wants to end their lives in the womb then that is alright with the Democrats. His press release statement states that they are wonderful for society but I guarantee he would fight for the right to abort for that very same supposed reason and supposed defect. We should be aborting none and especially not for these reasons as well as not for sex selection or race.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:49 pm:
Eh, like Rich makes clear, he’s done this before.
I don’t think it comes close to trying to spin his stay at the veterans home as simply Bruce proving his Everyman bonafides.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:50 pm:
===We should be aborting none===
You do know that Rauner signed HB40, right?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
===JB Pritzker would allow the abortion of those diagnosed with autism if there was a test for it during pregnancy so he talks out of both sides of his mouth as usual just as he does for those with Down Syndrome.===
… Explain Rauner signing HB40…
Your crassness here, whew.
===His press release statement states that they are wonderful for society but I guarantee he would fight for the right to abort for that very same supposed reason and supposed defect. We should be aborting none and especially not for these reasons as well as not for sex selection or race.===
… again, with utter crass… still explain HB40
- Stand Tall - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:58 pm:
Yes I know and he was wrong for it, doesn’t change the fact that everything I stated is correct. Just because am not pro-Democrat doesn’t make me pro-Rauner. Pritzker offers lip service on taxes with a history of avoiding paying them at all cost.
- Nortorious RBG - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:58 pm:
- Stand Tall - There’s a special type of irony in supporting a candidate that would force a woman into giving birth in all circumstances, when the post goes to the elimination of funding for the children living in our state that have special needs.
- Nortorious RBG - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 2:59 pm:
Sorry for the duplicate…
- Stand Tall - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:01 pm:
OW- the organizations I belong too fought against HB40. You call crassness is what we call the truth which evidently you can’t handle.
- Demoralized - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:03 pm:
==what we call the truth ==
So we’re the arbiter of “truth” now are we?
- Flapdoodle - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
==You call crassness is what we call the truth which evidently you can’t handle.==
So when facts and logic fail, start with the personal attacks, right? Heckuva way to carry a point.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:08 pm:
===You call crassness is what we call the truth which evidently you can’t handle.===
How’s that working for y’all, changin’ minds thru crudeness AND crass?
But, please, make it about your truth.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:15 pm:
Get back on topic, please. Last warning.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:17 pm:
Sorry, Rich. My bad.
Apologies.
- Suburban Mom - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:33 pm:
Nothing has left me as blindly infuriated with Rauner as this, and he can take his “understanding and acceptance” and shove it somewhere extremely impolite. He’s made absolutely clear that my autistic son is a second-class citizen in Illinois and does not deserve help, protection, or a rich and full life. My son is a casualty of Rauner’s tax-cutting drive, a victim in his war on Madigan, and doesn’t matter ONE BIT to Rauner.
Getting services was difficult before Rauner’s massacre, but it’s even harder now that so many providers have cut staff or even gone under. We’ve been on an EIGHT MONTH waiting list after our last provider folded to get in with a new one — to pay privately, with private insuracne. It’s worse for parents who rely on public assistance. Every day my child is denied services increases the chance he’ll be reliant on state services his entire life instead of living independently and holding a job.
But Rauner saved a few dollars now, and he’ll be in Italy when the bill comes due, and he doesn’t have to get up every morning and struggle to help an autistic child cope with the world every day. I had to give up full-time work to care for my son because there isn’t enough help, and I’m pretty sure my husband and I won’t ever be able to retire, between our reduced earning capacity with me working part-time and my son’s intense and expensive needs.
I am a pro-life Catholic, but it’s absolutely clear to me that the Republican party is here to punish me for having given birth to an imperfect child whom they view as a burden and a drain on society. All their talk about protecting life is just that — talk. They don’t care what happens to the children they claim to want to protect.
And Rauner needs to quit using my son, and children like him, as props for his PR statements, while stripping them of the services they need to live.
I’m going to stop there because all my remaining words will get caught in the obscenity filter.
- Sugar Corn - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 3:59 pm:
Suburban mom,
Thank you.
- Honeybear - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 4:28 pm:
May a God bless you and keep you Suburban Mom
wow did you just give me
A giant dose of inspiration
As a public servant
Your fire inspires me to do my best
For folks like you
Your family
And most importantly
Your son
Thank you
- Honeybear - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
Ugh….my fat fingers on an old iPhone.
May God bless you
- SSL - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 4:52 pm:
It is beyond sad that so many suffer due to the poor services provided by the state. And of course Rauner is wrong to even speak about autism given the cuts he authorized.
Sadly, anyone in need of critical state services will be feeling similar pain. When fiscal governance has been neglected for decades, you end up in a brutal reality.
Good luck JB. You’re going to get what you wanted.
- JS Mill - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 7:32 pm:
Fact- Rauner cut, and continued to deny, funding for autism services on World Autism day. Heartless.
Rauner also tried to be sneaky about it. Gutless.
He (his people) send out these Autism statements even as his actions show he couldn’t care a lick about people with special needs. True Perfidy.
Folks like @Stand Tall make ridiculous and unsubstantiated statements about Rauner’s opposition exactly because Rauner’s actual behavior is undeniably cruel. So they have to cast shade on someone else. Nice try. Another Raunerbot fail.
- Huh? - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 8:29 pm:
Honeybear - as a presbyterian, turned atheist, who toiled in the belly of the religio-industrial complex, I have no problem with your “May a God bless you and keep you”. I consider it to be inclusive of all religions, including those which worship many gods as part of their theistic perspective.
As a Navy Chaplain, you probably dealt with many people who worshiped religions and denominations different than yours. Their God is as good as your God. And most likely is the same God, just by a different name.
Bless you Sister, go with your God. As I will go with mine, by whatever name He is called.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Apr 2, 18 @ 10:33 pm:
The Rauner administration is so bad at what they do, they cut autism funding on World Autism Awareness day.
The Rauner administration is so bad at what they do, they blame what they fail to do correctly on one of the leaders in another branch of state government.
If there was no MJM, no Democrats in Illinois, no Legislative branch or Judical branch of government - Rauner would still be a complete failure.
When a governor fails this badly within his own brach of government - the one he completely controls - it is clear that he cannot do the job.
Rauner is a new low for Illinois governors. No wonder he barely defeated an unknown suburban mom with a budget smaller than his wine budget.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Apr 3, 18 @ 8:40 am:
Huh- thanks for the affirmation. I did in the Navy get to serve at Great Lakes Recruit Training Command. 13 chapels serving 56 distinct religious groups. Amazing experience.
No my “ugh ” had to do with my spouses current fixation on my grammar and sloppiness in writing. I caught it hard moments after posting. I do need to improve. My inattention reflects poorly on me.