* Background is here if you need it. From Kathy Carmody at the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, here’s per capita state government spending on disability services…

More at the link.

Some parents have left Illinois because of this.

* Explained…

For every resident of Illinois (and in other states), this is the amount of resources invested in individual and family support services for people with disabilities. For each resident of Iowa (not with a disability, but in the general population) the state spends $111 on individual/family support services as defined below the graph; in Illinois, we spend $19. It’s not a budgetary formula, but an after-the-fact comparison that allows comparison of states with different populations.

* More from a Tribune editorial…

For some families, this failure to provide necessary services tips the scale toward leaving this dysfunctional state for one that does better — say, Indiana, Michigan or Wisconsin. The Illinois Department of Human Services says more than 1,350 people on the waitlist last year moved out of state. It’s not known how many left specifically in search of better services, but given Illinois’ standing, it would be hard for families to do much worse. The state ranks an embarrassing No. 44 in a recent report on how well state Medicaid programs serve people with these types of disabilities.

Illinois spends at least $400 million a year on this type of services and aid, according to Allison Stark, director of the Human Services Department’s developmental disabilities division. That ranges from small group housing to larger facilities and includes community day programs and adaptive equipment. Stark estimates Illinois would have to double its spending to eliminate the wait for services.

The Tribune editorial board advocates reducing state pension spending. It’s the same basic logic Bruce Rauner used before his first run for governor…

“In Illinois there’s been a long-time history of what I would call social service, social justice, a bigger role for government in the safety net than in many other states,” Rauner said at a tax policy conference sponsored by the George W. Bush Institute. “I think we can drive a wedge issue in the Democratic Party on that topic and bring the folks who say, ‘You know what? For our tax dollars, I’d rather help the disadvantaged, the handicapped, the elderly, the children in poverty. I’d rather have my tax dollars going to that than the SEIU or Af-scammy (AFSCME), who are out there for their own interests.’”

Didn’t work.

       

11 Comments - Anonymous - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 1:29 pm: “I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate” The Owl, in his hooting wisdom, wanted to purposely hurt folks, folks like these in Rich’s post, not to actually help them in the long run but to dismantle organized labor and break this idea of pensions too. It’s this kind of post, it’s why… until those Raunerites admit the purposeful destruction they gleefully participated in was wrong… they won’t get a “we need to move on” from me. Nope. Sorry. No. The rebirth of the GOP in Illinois begins, ends, pushes through only by renouncing Raunerism, and making a new contract with Illinoisans that this party won’t do this…or tweet that… ever again. First… dump the Raunerites running the state party and the Cook County party. Until you do that, y’all are still Raunerites. It’s important too… who honestly thinks a Raunerite still in the GA cares all that much about this issue? I’m sorry HRaunerites, you too SRaunerites.., “I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate” That’s who you STILL are… until you decide, it can be here and now, that you’re sorry, and you learned, and we are going to be a party never to purposely destroy Illinois again. This post *IS* speaking to what y’all did. Own it. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 1:30 pm: Above was me, sorry. - Nick Name - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 1:53 pm: What OW said. - Anonanonsir - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:17 pm: I’d say that those who advocate pension reform retain the right to point out underfunding in other areas. JB has been saying yes a lot, so this certainly seems like something that could be addressed. - Collinsviile Kevin - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:18 pm: The George W. Bush Institute. Why do I find that hilarious? - Jocko - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:43 pm: ==those who advocate pension reform retain the right== Unless you’re talking about re-amortizing the debt, they’ve lost the right to point out anything. - Sue - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:56 pm: In fairness( which is often lacking from progressives) all the Tribune did was point out that with 26 percent of all State revenue earmarked for pensions( the number is growing) social needs get shortchanged here in Madiganstan - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 2:59 pm: - Sue - “In fairness”… For a whole General Assembly, two fiscal years, social services were crushed, not by “Madiganistan” folks, but Raunerites… and Ken Dunkin. You’re welcome. - dbk - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 3:28 pm: –It’s this kind of post, it’s why… until those Raunerites admit the purposeful destruction they gleefully participated in was wrong… they won’t get a “we need to move on” from me.– OW, as I’m sure you know, that admission isn’t happening anytime soon. Many thanks, Rich, for this post; it’s helpful, if extremely discouraging, to see the vast discrepancy between Illinois and its neighbors in spending on the disabled. Were I a parent of a disabled child or adult, I’d move - probably, to Iowa. This is the only case where I’ve said to myself, “No way.” Can’t stop thinking of Mark 25:40 (”Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”) Investment in the disabled and those with special needs has to go up - and no, I don’t know how this can be accomplished. But we absolutely have to do it. Heartbreaking. - Oswego Willy - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 4:05 pm: ===…as I’m sure you know, that admission isn’t happening anytime soon.=== The decade of discontent, the blind walk in the woods is only beginning. Bereft with visionaries to see the path out (or accept it) it might be best to see how the Dems will save Illinois. We’ll see. The Raunerites aren’t ready. My hope is this issue, social services, will get serious attention, and priorities like social services and higher ed will drive Illinois forward. Be well. - Flapdoodle - Friday, Jan 10, 20 @ 4:13 pm: OW @ 1:30 — “Above was me, sorry.” We knew . . . . Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.