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* Dean Olsen…
Officials from Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration say his proposed state budget cut for a program that serves toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays wouldn’t be as drastic as first portrayed.
Among the Republican governor’s many suggested cuts in human services for the fiscal year that begins July 1 — to deal with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit — is a $23 million general revenue fund cut in Early Intervention services.
Supporters of the program said earlier this month, based on information presented by Rauner’s aides after his budget speech, that 10,000 fewer children would be served by Early Intervention in fiscal year 2016 under Rauner’s plan.
If the reduction estimate were accurate, the number of children from birth to age 3 receiving therapy through the program each year — currently more than 21,000 — would be cut almost in half.
But that’s not the case, said Linda Saterfield, associate director of the office of early childhood at the Illinois Department of Human Services. Rauner’s plan actually would reduce the caseload by 4,000 in fiscal 2016, putting the total number served at roughly 17,000, she said last week.
* So, “only” 4,000 kicked off next fiscal year, but 10,000 given the boot in a few years.…
But a 50 percent reduction in the statewide caseload would happen in a few years as children currently in the program complete therapy or reach age 3, [Amy Zimmerman, director of the Chicago Medical-Legal Partnership for Children] said. Saterfield agreed that the situation Zimmerman described could be a possibility.
Sheesh.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:15 am
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Linda, I need you to go shill for my budget…Got a problem with that?
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:21 am
It’s such a strange exercise.
You basically punt on proposing a real budget by including billions in phony “savings,” but you go out of your way to include real cuts to babies with physical and developmental disabilities?
Who thinks that way?
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:22 am
Well, -someone’s- got to share the sacrifice. …
Comment by CitizenJane Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:23 am
Arduin might say to those babies, “get a job.”
Comment by Concerned Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:25 am
I am aware of two Early Intervention offices that have compared the current eligibility requirement against the proposed requirement and both have indicated that they would lose 60% and 66% of current children in the program.
Comment by emerson Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:25 am
When, oh when, are there going to be any questions about why the Governor’s proposed budget cuts seem to target folks in need, and particularly the working poor?
Maybe I’ve missed the newsies’ repeated questions about why there are no cuts aimed at the wealthiest strata of soceity, e.g. thru corporate tax expenditures.
This administration’s view of what constitutes “essential” and “nonessential” services is really — something.
Comment by Linus Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:27 am
==Arduin might say to those babies, “get a job.” ==
Hey, is it her fault some of them aren’t old enough to walk yet?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:29 am
Cuts to state spending on Early Intervention will result in reductions in federal support for Early Intervention.
So, the cuts are compounded by reductions in Federal funding.
Heckuva Job Brucie!!
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:30 am
You can pay something for them now or a whole lot more later.
I guess Rauner wants to pay a whole lot more later, perhaps when he’s out of office?
Comment by Aldyth Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:31 am
==“essential” and “nonessential”==
Though I believe we established last week in comments that much of this is now covered by insurance.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:32 am
The Rauner approach to EI cuts mirrors his approach to eliminating Child Care for children once they turn six - really??? Current six year olds can stay, but pity the five year olds who turn six after July 1, 2015 - they are on their own! Eventually the program is reduced by almost 40%, and God only knows what will have happened to thousands of school age children from all parts of the state, who were not able to make it on their own! Sheesh is an understatment.
Comment by Interested Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:40 am
&*^%$#@ Rich man Rauner, who sends his kid to an expensive private school
Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:40 am
The governor and his allies in the legislature are faced with the difficult choice of providing vital support to families whose children are born with life-altering disabilities or ending taxpayer subsidies for things like corporate jets.
It’s a Sophie’s choice, really.
Comment by Juvenal Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:44 am
You see the more people/kids/seniors he can kick out of programs in FY 15, the less of a cut it is in FY 16. FY 16 is really a humanitarian budget.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:47 am
Not only is the Rauner administration heartless, they are also gutless for the obfuscation and lies they continually spout regarding their cuts.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:51 am
So even the Governor now agrees, the budget he proposed was an unworkable joke but that won’t stop him from proposing future unworkable jokes.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:51 am
Linda, it didn’t work get your resume ready.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 11:53 am
At least he won’t be calling himself Bruce Almighty anytime soon.
Comment by Jorge Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Taxpaying people leaving the corrupt , wasteful spending state ,,Illinois each year…Paddy Quinn purposeful spent all the income tax money rather than pay off State bills,, Now the chickens come home to roost …. no more money left, and 8 BILLION DOLLARS IN UNPAID BILLS
Comment by better days Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:05 pm
@better days - I’m assuming this isn’t one of yours…
Comment by PublicServant Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Formerly know as….
60% of children locally are served through Medicaid and their services currently are not covered.
Comment by emerson Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:48 pm
Obamacare could cover much of this. State vendors should direct people to this funding source and unburden the state. Those whose Obamacare policies don’t cover this and do not meet the new eligibility standards might qualify if the program is expanded in future years. Bruce Rauner’s turnaround agenda will reap many benefits. More taxes from increased job creation and business growth can help the most vulnerable.
Comment by Muscular Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 12:50 pm
“Bruce Rauner’s turnaround agenda will reap many benefits.”
You don’t get paid for posts unless they use the phrase “Bruce Rauner’s turnaround agenda”, do you?
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 1:08 pm
So is it the Republican Governor’s official position, as frequently now heard across across the country, that “Obamacare” mitigates any cutting of healthcare benefits for the most vulnerable children, and that it shouldn’t be repealed? Do our Republican Congress folks know?
Comment by walker Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 2:02 pm
We, … - in order to provide for the health, safety and welfare of the people; … eliminate poverty and inequality; assure legal, social and economic justice; provide opportunity for the fullest development of the individual; …”
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Governor to the best of my ability.”
I was talking with my sister over the weekend and she mentioned the preamble of the Illinois State Constitution, and the Governor’s oath of office which are excerpted above.
Given what the timex watch has proposed, is he in violation of his oath of office?
Comment by Huh? Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Unfortunately, yes. Governor Rauner has formulated a budget based on a pension reform he does not control and may not be constitutional. Even more reductions in state government are necessary to balance the budget without this change to pensions.
Comment by Muscular Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 3:21 pm
===…Rauner, who sends his kid to an expensive private school.===
No, Rauner clouted his denied Winnetka-living daughter into Illinois’ best public high school, in Chicago, without the scores, over worthier, poorer kids.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 3:27 pm
If the ACA would cover these early childhood services, then the vendors should be billing the ACA, not Illinois taxpayers. The children should all be covered by insurance. This question has come up with respect to a number of services Rauner has proposed cutting. Regardless of the outcome of these proposals, his staff should be making sure that covered services to insured patients-that should be all of them, it’s the law-are billed to the insurance company,not to Illinois taxpayers. I can’t believe this isn’t already happening, but it’s Illinois, unfortunately.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 4:49 pm
Cassandra, this program has been billing Medicaid and private insurance for years to help cover the costs. But not everything in the system is a medical service so that is not a solution.
Comment by jojo Monday, Mar 23, 15 @ 8:56 pm