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[Updated and bumped up.]
* House Republican Leader Tom Cross just talked to the media after this morning’s leaders meeting with the governor. Cross described the talks as quite positive. There is no agreement yet on whether to do a five-month plan or a full-year plan, but Cross said there needs to be “stability” for now. He also said the governor views any overrides of his appropriations vetoes as a “hostile act,” but added that route might be the way to go. “We’re working on the mechanics.” Watch it all…
The leaders will meet with Gov. Pat Quinn again at 4 o’clock this afternoon after they talk with their members. Senate Dems and SGOPs are caucusing at the moment. One topic will be the added borrowing for the pension systems. That’s up to $3.5 billion from $2.2 billion.
We’ll post more videos, if any, on this post from those caucus meetings.
* Tribune…
House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) said there is support to borrow billions short-term to make state worker pension payments this year. The money would help fund social services, which had been put on the chopping block during the budget impasse.
“At the end of the day, it will not be as severely as it was portrayed by the governor six weeks ago,” Cross said of the cuts.
Cross said a tax increase “is off the table” and added that the governor wants to review the budget after five months, but there would not be any legal authority for him to do so. […]
“The main thing we’re trying to do is avoid chaos, and that’s everyone’s goal. We all agree with that, and we’re working towards that end,” said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).
*** 2:23 pm *** From Rep. John Fritchey’s Twitter page…
So session lasted approximately 90 seconds. Now we’re off to caucus. Is it any wonder why people are frustrated?
1 minute ago
*** 3:30 pm *** [posted by Mike Murray] Sen. Garrett comments on today’s Senate Democratic caucus. Senate Dems are committed to avoiding a shutdown of state operation and will appropriate funds to that end. Also discussed was a possible $3.6 billion pension note bill…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:20 pm
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Think lounging-in-a-chair will beat out standing-behind-a-podium as the preferred political press conference scene?
Comment by Sewanee Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:35 pm
It’s July 14, 44 days after the seesion ran out, and the only news is that the leaders are being nice to each other for once, and we might even get a decision on how long the next budget period will be. Good lord.
I sure would not want to be an incumbent running for re-election next year, of any party.
Comment by Bubs Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:36 pm
I anticipate they will soon issue a press release identifying that they have worked andard, and reached an agreement: that discussions about the budget shall occur in a room with a table and chairs.
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:44 pm
Amen Bubs! we all need to be lining up to support the challenger to even House seat to start -primary then general - I am sick to death of people blaming the leadership - Hello - there are 173 other GA members! Who the h_ll are they representing???!!!
I just got off the phone with a service provider who said, “Oh, well, we just got told that the cuts were not going to be as severe.” Like that is some great big hairy deal??? Unfunded forever is still underfunded forever!
Comment by Collar Observer Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:46 pm
“GOP’s Tom Cross: “At the end of the day, [cuts to human services] will not be nearly as severe as the governor portrayed six weeks ago.”32 minutes ago from web ” from the miracle of twitter.
BTW this only works if StateWideTom is willing to vote for more pension borrowing and SubGuv spends it right. He still might shaft drug and alcohol treatment etc
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:54 pm
Illinois is a joke. This all could have been resolved before the session ended if these “people” would’ve put partisanship aside and actually did their jobs. Wow!! What a concept. I say throw out all the bums!!!!
Comment by Sickofit Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:55 pm
Right on Collar Observer! The GA hasn’t increased funding in over 5 years, in no way are current rates in keeping with overhead costs and inflation costs. So, while we need at least a 10% increase to maintain what we had 5 years ago, we are supposed to smile and say thank you for the 10% cut. The voters of this state had better get it together or they are going to end up get just what they wish for…and not what they need. Time to replace the GA with some new faces and ideas.
Comment by Fed Up Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 1:56 pm
Dear Senate Minority Leader Radogno, re your comment about avoiding chaos - are you kidding? Here in social service land there is complete chaos. Whole agencies closed, programs cut, people layed off. Even if funding is in part restored, there is already extensive damage done all because 3 (possibly 5 people) couldn’t get their collective acts together.
Comment by southerner Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:01 pm
I am glad to hear people speaking up to make these representatives accountable…now we all have to make sure we remind everyone in November how mad they are now… I will not be voting for anyone currently in office.
Comment by Double Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:01 pm
This whole “throw them all out” theory is short sided and borders on sounding ignorant. OK, you’re upset. Who isnt? However, I can tell you that the best way to ensure chaos is to elect all new people. That way the ONLY thing everyone is concerned with is getting re-elected. Not to mention that “all new” people would be in charge and have no idea at all what they are doing. And yeah yeah, I know that the next commenter is going to say “well look at the state now, no one knows what they’re doing as it is.”
Comment by heet101 Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:11 pm
==“The main thing we’re trying to do is avoid chaos, and that’s everyone’s goal. We all agree with that, and we’re working towards that end,” said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont).==
That’s pretty funny.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:12 pm
We’ve Had the Time of Our Lives - Theme from “Dirty Dancing”, enhanced by VanillaMan
Cross: Now We’ve had the time of our lives
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
and I owe it all to you
Quinn: ‘Cause we’ve had the time of our lives
and I owe it all to you
Cross: I’ve been waiting for so long
Now I’ve finally found someone
To stand by me
Quinn: We saw the calendar on the wall
As we felt this budget fantasy
Both: Now with passion in our eyes
There’s no way we could disguise it secretly
So we take each other’s hand
‘Cause we seem to understand the urgency
Cross: just remember
Cross: Cash is the one thing
Quinn: We can’t get enough of
Cross: So I’ll tell you something
Both:This could be love because
(CHORUS)
Both: We’ve had the time of our lives
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause We’ve had the time of our lives
And we’ve searched through every budget line
‘Til we found the truth
And I owe it all to you
Quinn: Like yesterday’s tomato,
I want you more than you’ll ever know
Cross: So we’ll just let it go
Don’t be afraid to lose control
Quinn: Yes I know what’s on your mind
When you say: “Session with me tonight.”
Cross: Just remember
Cash is the one thing
Quinn: I can’t get enough of
Cross: So I’ll tell you something
Both: This could be love because
(CHORUS)
Both: ‘Cause we had the time of our lives
No I’ve never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause we’ve had the time of our lives
And we’ve searched under every sofa cushion
Till we found the truth
and I owe it all to you
*Instrumental*
Cross: Now we’ve had the time of our lives
No I never felt this way before
(Quinn: Never Felt this way)
Cross: Yes I swear it’s the truth
and I owe it all to you
Both: ‘Cause we had the time of our lives
And we’ve locked Hynes behind his door
Till Dan finds the truth
and sends that borrowed cash to you
MJM: “cause they’ve had the time of their lives
I’ve never been so embarrassed before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
We have enough cash to last the year…
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:17 pm
so the speaker just read the house resolution and adjourned until 1pm tomorrow. word is they are heading to the allstar game in St. Louis to watch the Pres. throw the opening pitch. this puts the icing on the cake.
Comment by inthemiddle Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:19 pm
Isn’t it a little late to avoid chaos? Hundreds of people have been laid off in the social service industry, thousands of citizens have been denied vital services that are desperately needed. What exactly to legislators think has been going on the last few weeks???
Comment by Really?? Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Radogno:
Borrowing…goooood.
Chaos…….baaaaad.
Comment by KGB Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:23 pm
While a 10% cut is better than the 40%-50% hits being discussed previously, those numbers are not exactly heartwarming for any business. Still, add 3% to that 10% since any cut does not address the constant march of inflation and basic overhead for all business. Fed Up is right, that lack of increases over last 5 years is having a huge ripple effect right now.
Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:24 pm
Ummm, why not caucus before session?
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:29 pm
I never thought I’d completely agree with Rep Fritchey, but he’s right. It’s stunts like today’s “session” that get people really angry. There are countless people waiting on everything from program funding, to medicaid payments, to simple paychecks, and these clowns can’t seem to get their acts together.
Comment by Nikoli Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:40 pm
There are thousands of state employees who now will not be getting paid tomorrow, a payday schedule that is for work performed through the 15th, as well as all those who have been laid off. The disrespect of our elected officials for these people is truly outrageous. Will they pay the interest on loans people will have to take to make ends meet and pay thier bills? No. They will bluster and spin and make believe they are just good people trying to do the right thing. Their blatant disregard for the misery they are causing ought to be criminal.
Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:46 pm
So seriously nothing is going to be done today because of a baseball game?
Comment by Central IL Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:54 pm
not much will happen today because of the All-Star game……
Comment by freddy Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 2:56 pm
heet101, do you really think the current batch has anything else in mind than their prospects for re-election? It should be crystal clear by now that politicians have two priorities…. 1. Getting elected. 2. Getting re-elected.
Comment by howie Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:01 pm
Hmmm, didn’t they say two weeks ago that they scheduled the session for July 14 for the “convienience” of the members? Surely the baseball fans among them knew perfectly well that the All Star Game was going to be taking place that evening and only a 2-hour drive away…
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Fritchey’s Tweets are simply panderific!
Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:20 pm
THE REASON NOTHING GOT DONE IS THAT THEY ALL TOOK OFF TO ST. LOUIS FOR THE BALL GAME TO SEE OBAMA AND MEANWHILE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T GET PAID TOMORROW. WHAT A BUNCH OF —————
Comment by Auntie Geo Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:25 pm
I don’t remember who coined this phrase the other day on this blog but I think it should become the Cap Fax Blog battle Cry “Remember in November”
Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:26 pm
Flume, you are so right! All those laid off state employees and the privately paid social service folks who have been laid off because our “leaders” couldn’t come to an agreement will suffer tremendously from this. It is shamefull for the GA to treat its employees this way.
Comment by lincolnlover Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:26 pm
Fritchey:
Last Friday, the Gov. calls us in to hawk a 5 mo. plan. 2am today, they sent it to us for support. Now it’s off the table?!
6 minutes ago from TweetDeck
Comment by Anonymous Coward Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:34 pm
Wow, have to rush out of session to watch ObamaChrist at Busch…. (how are they going to get there with the highway closed so fast, fly private jets?)
I just wanted to thank the state for not paying any of its employees tomorrow…. It’s nice to know that they are all just pawns in this game and thought of as peons by the legislature….
Comment by LOLlinois Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Nice that the Dem leaders made sure their session didn’t interfere with the all-star game.
Comment by Easy Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:46 pm
It’s been said over and over people are wanting to stall this until they see who they have as a primary challenger…geez, isn’t this gonna end up backfiring?
Comment by Segatari Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Is tbat all-star game stuff for real? If so, I guess appearances don’t count.
Will some enterprising local TV outfit track these guys down at the ballgame? Seems like a natural.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:48 pm
neet101 - I would one hundred times over rather see inexperienced members try to do their job as GA members and fail, than see experienced pseudo leaders and their sniveling followers PURPOSELY and with NO REGARD for others let the state fall into a state of chaos for their own PERSONAL benefit. Evidently they also did not pay attention to the ethics test. “No State Employee or Office holder should do anything that is solely for their personal gain” Remember in November
Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:52 pm
Remember in November - it has a great ring to it.
Anybody up for t-shirts? Bumper stickers?
All Star game in St Louis - “gotta be seen w/POTUS!”
I can’t wait to cast my ballot.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:54 pm
Our agency was informed that the legislature had adjourned for the day and that no one would be getting paid tomorrow - not even at minimum wage. Can’t tell you how well that went over with everyone.
Comment by State Volunteer Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 3:59 pm
Perhaps a refrain from the song “Send In The Clowns” might be apropos:
Aren’t they rich? (governor, legislative leaders and construction contractors)
Aren’t they a pair? (Democratic/Republican legislators)
We state workers and nonprofits on the ground (sweating out layoffs)
Legislators in the air (flying to the all-star without enacting a budget)
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns!
Comment by Stoned Prophet Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:03 pm
I hope we get some nice photo ops from the game tonight because if this is true…I hope the All Stars get let go when their contracts run out…
REMEMBER in NOVEMBER…I love it.
Comment by Double Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:07 pm
if there is any truth to this rumor they are not working because they are going to a ball game, the press will torch them. Where’s Madigan’s leadership??
Comment by The Court Jester Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:07 pm
I would much rather have some inexperienced, honest people see what they can do in place of the current regime…Remember in November!
Comment by Double Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:07 pm
Just when you thought they could’nt be more self-serving or outrageous or egotistical, along comes the All Star Game in St. Louis. I hope everyone
“Remembers in November.” Vote the bums out.
Comment by Celt Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:14 pm
I hope the press is at the game snapping photos of legislators in the stands.
Comment by Bluefish Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:17 pm
Isn’t this exactly the sort of stuff that enraged folks about Blagojevich? I mean, especially when he showed up at the Blackhawks game while folks haggling in Springfield?
It’s as bizarre — and vaguely insulting — now as it was then. What is it with legislators and sports? Fix the budget, pass the budget, then enjoy the sports.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:21 pm
If it’s true that legislators adjourned and there’s no budget, we’re working for free. This should make the anti-union/state worker crowd real happy.
It’s okay that politicians screw things up while enjoying lavish perks, as long as the “lazy” and “privileged” state worker doesn’t get one sliver more of copper from a penny.
Comment by Stoned Prophet Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:47 pm
A lot of people that I talk with are boiling mad over this issue. It was bad enough to take off all last week without meeting to discuss the budget options and now this.
NO BUDGET NO VOTE
Comment by BillORights Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:52 pm
Last week Fox Chicago did a report about how the budget crisis was affecting a social “service” provider called TASC.
TASC helps recovering drug addicts. After watching that I must admit that I was not happy. I am not happy that tax payer dollars are being wasted to essentially keep drug addicts drug addicts, and just more docile.
keeping them docile by providing them methadone does NOT address the problem and is NOT a solution to the real problem.
I can go along with helping children, the elderly and disabled,to some extent. but I do not like supporting adults who make poor life choices that perpetuate their suffering and misfortune.
Then Fox had Rep. Hultgren on and he summed up my sentiments, as did Sen. Trotter when he appeared on the Sunday morning Fox news program. He in effect states that some social “services” do not need to exist at taxpayer expense.
In my view that includes TASC, and its ilk.
lawmakers, please decide once and for all if drug addiction is a crime or an illness.
Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:54 pm
Ridiculous. No money? No workee!
Comment by Disgruntled Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 4:57 pm
OMG. A Ball Game. Rich I hope you get all pictures and names up here if they went to that game! We have been sick with worry about what is going to happen with the budget. Worry about how we will pay our bills. Worry about still having a job….and we are paying them OVERTIME! I have never ever experienced anything like this to the extent or the scare tactics used. I have worked for the state for 15 years! Anyone else in the same boat??
Comment by Justice Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 5:21 pm
To all of you who have posted today, I would like to let you know that I attended the House session this afternoon. I was never so angry and ashamed of any group of people in my life. They all sauntered in at least 10 minutes late…mulled around and visited with each other, were very rude and never even listened to the representative who was speaking…voted on some procedures while continuing to chat. The gallery was “quiet as a mouse”, but we still couldn’t hear because of their chattering with each other. Then the session was adjourned until tomorrow afternoon and they were told there would be caucases after the adjournment. And to add insult to injury one of the representatives announced that it was so-and-so birthday and there was cake in such and such room for the members. This my friends is what they expect us to accept as “governing”. Remember in November, I certainly will and so will all the people who sat there through that unbelievable display of disrespect and contempt for all Illinoisans.
Comment by Listen Please Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 6:30 pm
If the members had come in at 8:30 or 9 this morning, taken an actual budget vote, resolved all the major outstanding issues of this session, insured everyone got paid on time, then hit the road at 2 or 3 p.m. to go home or go to the All Star Game, I could live with that.
But to not come in until 2 p.m., meet for less than two minutes (in the House) and less than 20 (in the Senate), and go out the door leaving EVERYTHING hanging, including thousands of paychecks, just so they can rub elbows with The One, seems pretty darn arrogant to me… just as bad if not worse than Blago skipping out of an important session to go to a hockey game.
Comment by Bookworm Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 7:27 pm
There were a number of budget options, one of which was going to be voted on today around 4pm after the house caucused. The Governor introduced a new one in the middle of the night last night, that is still being finalized and it is generally agreed upon. There is nothing wrong with any of the legislators going to the game, they would not be at work right now anyway, there is nothing to vote on. They could vote to override but there are not enough votes for that in the senate. The budget that has the most support and will fund around 90% of the govs budget is being worked on and will be passed before the end of the week. The leaders were here yesterday being informed of these different options, when they came to these general agreements they wanted to have their staffs look at it, rendering it almost impossible to vote tonight. You all are right though, they could have voted on something that would poorly fund the state or they could wait til tomorrow to vote on the best option that could pass, delaying the payment of checks for a couple days. I understand many of you are state employees and can’t know whats going on so it causes angst, but thats the nature of a legislative body; people negotiate and no one can be sure of any outcomes until the roll is taken.
Comment by Charlie Wilson Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:19 pm
@ Listen Please - Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 6:30 pm:
You need to attend a cook county board meeting, of any kind. it is the pits, and explains why the county has so many problems. I can assure you it is far worse than anything you have seen or can imagine.
Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 8:44 pm
Charlie
Please do not give credit to where it is not due. The GA had all year to negiotiate a budget they did nothing, they had last week to negiotiate a budget yet they did nothing. They cost the tax payers lots today for their 19 minute grandstand and birthday party.
Based on their past history it is absolutely reprehensible for any of them to take time away and go to a ball game with the State of Illinois being in the worse fiscal crisis ever.
And I hope that any legislators to went get crucified in the press for it.
Comment by BillORights Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 10:40 pm
@BillORights
Thank you for speaking the truth!
Comment by state employee Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 11:20 pm
Our “leaders” have failed to lead, and to be blunt about it, have just plain failed to do the jobs they were elected to do. Consequently, we the people bear the pain of their failure to act with intelligence and compassion. Come this November, we must say, as Donald Trump would say, “You’re fired!!”
Comment by jamzywamzy Tuesday, Jul 14, 09 @ 11:56 pm
I think for the following persons impacted by layoffs and lack of services…they would not agree that going to a ball game takes priority over voting. What about working all night when there is a project do? I think a lot of us have done that.
# of affected agencies identified: 87
Minimum # of employees given layoff notices: 1,883
Minimum # of clients affected: 14,303
- The Occupational Development Center in Bloomington has discontinued a program that provides job training for the developmentally disabled. (Pantagraph, 7/1/09)
- The Association for Individual Development in Aurora has cut 80 jobs and “told 1,100 clients with developmental and mental health disabilities that they would lose services.” (Daily Herald, 7/1/09)
- The H Group in West Frankfort has laid off 31 staff and transferred and changed salaries for another 12. In total, 59 positions have been cut, including through attrition, elimination of positions occupied by staff from temporary agencies, and lay-offs. Administrators estimate 1,000 fewer people will receive addiction counseling as a result. (The Southern, 7/1/09; Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Urbana domestic violence shelter A Woman’s Fund has laid off 12 of its 33 employees. (News-Gazette, 7/1/09)
- Thirty-five of the 210 staffers at the Mental Health Center of Champaign County will be laid off effective July 17. In addition, ten open positions have been terminated. (News-Gazette, 7/8/09)
- Staff cuts at Between Friends in Chicago means the organization will be able to provide counseling for 3,000 fewer domestic violence survivors this year. (WBEZ, 7/1/09)
- Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, an agency that treats non-violent convicts with addiction problems, has furloughed 139 employees for two weeks without pay. A representative tells us: “The DHS budget cuts have affected 2,500 non-violent offenders referred to TASC by the justice system for assessment and placement into community-based drug treatment programs.” (CBS Chicago, 7/1/09, Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Twenty-four hour addiction treatment facility Fellowship House in Anna has cut seven jobs and cut the number of patients by half. (The Southern, 7/1/09)
- Cairo’s Delta Center, which provides “mental health, prevention and youth services to about 1,000 people annually,” has cut 10 jobs, discontinued services to over 70 individuals, and stopped accepting referrals. (The Southern, 7/1/09)
- Southern Illinois Social Services in Carbondale gave 20 employees their two-week notice. (The Southern, 7/1/09)
- On July 1, Community Counseling Centers of Chicago laid off 14 workers, affecting over 250 Chicagoans who depend on their services. By July 6, the number of layoffs had reached 32, with services terminated for 1,200 individuals. (WBEZ, 7/1/09; Verified by PI, 7/6/09)
- The Mattoon Area Adult Education Center laid off eight employees and shut down its facility for the first time in 44 years. (Journal-Gazette/Times-Courier, 7/1/09)
- Dove Inc., which provides job training to the homeless in Decatur, laid off a third of its staff and discontinued several programs. (Herald & Review, 7/1/09)
- Also in Decatur, Macon Resources Inc. eliminated 26 positions, terminating its “group care for adults and children, sheltered work program for people with developmental disabilities … and a self-advocacy program.” (Herald & Review, 7/1/09)
- Chicago’s Carole Robertson Center, which provides early childhood care and education, laid off 20 of its 170 employees on July 2 and gave the rest a 25 percent pay cut. (Crain’s, 7/4/09)
- Foster care and education services organization Children Home + Aid, based in Chicago, has cut 86 of its 750 employees. The group provides services for over 40,000 children and families across the state. (Crain’s, 7/4/09)
- Aurora’s Mutual Ground Inc., which counsels victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault, is closing its emergency shelter. (Crain’s, 7/4/09)
- Planned Parenthood of Illinois laid off 19 employees. (State Journal-Register, 7/4/09)
- In its Chicago, Dixon and Peoria offices, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois laid off 32 workers who provided children’s services. (State Journal-Register, 7/4/09)
- In Lawrenceville, Cra-Wa-La Volunteers in Probation, Inc. laid off three staff members last week. The group “serves 16 southeastern Illinois counties with such services as mentoring, meth prevention and youth advocacy.” (Daily Republican Register, 7/6/09)
- The Ray Graham Association discontinued an array of services that assist families with developmentally disabled children, including: day programming, supported employment, supported living arrangements, and respite programs. The organization estimates that 900 people with disabilities will be affected. (Press release, 7/1/09)
- The board of trustees for Lincoln Land Community Colleges has notified 10 employees that they will be laid off on August 1. (State Journal-Register, 6/25/09; Verified by PI, 7/6/09)
- Clearbrook in Arlington Heights laid off 25 employees at the start of the month and discontinued employment programs for 85 individuals with developmental disabilities. (Provider website, 7/1/09)
- The Rockford-based Janet Wattles Center, a community mental health provider, laid off 21 employees on July 2. (Verified by PI, 7/6/09)
- Thresholds, a Chicago-area mental illness service provider, laid off 60 people during FY 2009 due to funding shortages. The most recent round of layoffs occurred three weeks ago. Administrators say that, without state funding in place, they will be forced to cut 180 staff positions on July 15 and reduce their service capacity by 2,500. (Verified by PI, 7/6/09)
- In late June, Metropolitan Family Services sent layoff notices to 100 employees. The organizations provides supportive services to families in the Chicagoland area. (Verified by PI, 7/6/09)
- Springfield Arc Inc., which provides respite services to families with developmentally disabled children, discontinued its summer program, which had enrolled 69 Springfield area children. The agency has laid off 55 employees since mid-June. (State Journal-Register, 7/7/09)
- Sojourn Shelter & Services in Springfield has laid off eight of its 17 full-time staff members and reduced the number of available shelter beds by half, from 32 to 16. (State Journal-Register, 7/7/09)
- The alcohol and drug detoxification program administered in Bloomington by Chestnut Health Systems was discontinued July 1 due to uncertainty regarding state funding. In the past year, more than 400 people from 43 counties were served by the program. Eight employees lost their jobs as a result of the cuts. (Pantagraph, 6/24/09)
- Mujeres, an agency that provides support services to Latinas in Chicago, has chosen to close its doors on Fridays and asked employees to take furlough days over the next two months. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- The Human Service Center of Southern Metro-East, a community mental health agency in Red Bud, laid off six employees and reduced working hours for eighteen other employees. Approximately 500 people will not receive services as result. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- Esperanza Community Services, a Chicago school for developmentally disabled children and adults, has eliminated 4 positions. Due to the possibility of a 100% grant cut, their Client and Family Support Program (which serves more than 150 families a year) is in jeopardy of closing. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- The Ecker Center for Mental Health, which serves the northern two/thirds of Kane County and Hanover and Barrington Townships, has laid off 17 employees. They still face another $500,000 in cuts to reach a balanced budget for FY 2010. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- Community Support Services in Brookfield has discontinued 75 percent of its respite care services for developmentally disabled children. Under the bare-bones budget, the agency will have to terminate 100 percent of its group home services and 80 percent of its family support case management. This will require the organization to turn away half of the 600 families they currently serve. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- Stopping Woman Abuse Now, located in Olney and serving a nine-county area, has laid off 13 staff and closed both its homeless shelter and residential shelter for domestic violence victims. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- Chicago’s Neumann Association, which provides services to adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities, has laid off 42 employees and has cut services to over 100 clients and their families. A representative tells us that “50% of these clients will lose their jobs due to the cuts in services. 50 sets of elderly parents and medically fragile caregivers have been left alone to provide care for their sons and daughters. The stress and anxiety has forced 4 clients to be hospitalized.” (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- Chicago’s oldest women-focused social service agency, the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, has laid off 48 staff members (out of 140). They have also discontinued two of their programs. (Verified by PI, 7/7/09)
- On July 15, Youth Outreach Unlimited offices in Lasalle County are scheduled to close, thereby ending afterschool programs used by thousands of local children. (News-Tribune, 7/7/09)
- A Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Service (ADV & SAS), which serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in La Salle and Livingston counties, has cut 10 employees from its 23-member staff and reduced hours for the remaining workers. (The Times, 7/6/09)
- The Youth Service Bureau in Ottawa has cut eight staff members and reduced the capacity of its afterschool programming and counseling for at-risk youth. (The Times, 7/6/09)
- After 20 years in operation in Lasalle County, the Easter Seals Lekotek program, designed to teach families how to interact with a special needs family member, has closed. (The Times, 7/6/09)
- Ottawa Friendship House eliminated three part-time positions and instituted a hiring freeze. The the center may reduce or discontinue its client and family support, supported employment, and regular work programs. (The Times, 7/6/09)
- In Springfield, the Boys & Girls Club of Central Illinois is temporarily closing its east side facility, where about 100 children regularly participate in programs. The move has resulted in 10 layoffs. (State Journal-Register, 7/7/09)
- The Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights has laid off 20 employees and scaled back six programs in Chicago, which served those with mental health and substance abuse problems, TANF recipients, immigrants, and the homeless. They estimate that nearly 4,000 are no longer receiving their services as a result. (Verified by PI, 7/8/09)
- The McHenry County Youth Service Bureau, which provides deliquency prevention and intervention programs, has laid off 6 full-time employees (out of 40) and has terminated services for 75 children and their families. (Verified by PI, 7/8/09)
- Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center in Decatur has been forced to lay off one counselor and cut their work week to 32 hours for five other staff members. Three employees have been cut to 24 hours per week. A representative tells us: “These shortened hours will affect counseling and advocacy services for victims of sexual assault.” (Verified by PI, 7/8/09)
- The Developmental Services Center serves children and adults with developmental disabilities in Champaign County. The group cut 18 jobs on July 6 and has begun scaling back services. (News-Gazette, 7/8/09)
- On July 1, the ARC of Rock Island County, which provides services for the developmentally disabled, sent out 38 layoff notices and informed 85 people that they will lose their Arc services as of July 15. (Quad Cities Online, 7/2/09)
- The Vermilion County Rape Crisis Center has laid off 2 full-time and 1 part-time workers. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Pioneer Center for Human Services, which serves several hundred clients with mental illness and disabilities in McHenry County, notified 31 employees that they will lose their jobs effective July 24. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- On July 3, the Family Alliance in Woodstock informed the 55-65 seniors enrolled in their support programs that their services will be terminated. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- CeaseFire, a Chicago-based organization that mediates neighborhood disputes in the hopes of curbing gun violence, has laid off 150 community staff members and is no functioning with a “skeleton staff” of 25. (Chi-Town Daily News, 7/9/09)
- Gads Hill Center provides services to low-income and immigrant children and families in Chicago, including child care and early education, educational support services, and services to low-income working parents. A representative tells us: “So far one entire program has been closed, and 4 workers have been laid off. This ends service for 80 youth. All 75 remaining employees will be subject to a potential 12 unpaid furlough days.” (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- In Cicero, Seguin Services has laid of 18 employees and discontinued aid for 27 clients, effective August 3. The agency “supports adults and children with disabilities and other special needs.” (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Family Focus, which operates seven direct service centers in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, laid off 35 staff and reduced hours for 10 other staff. A representative tells us: “If these staff reductions were to become permanent and last all year, approximately 2,000 families would loss vital family support, early childhood development and after school services.” (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Community Link, headquartered in Breese, Illinois, provides employment, job training and housing to more than 400 developmentally disabled individuals. The agency has laid off six staffers and demoted two others. The cuts have required them to terminate all services for 11 clients and limit them for 29 others. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Opportunities for Access, a “center for independent living” agency that promotes the empowerment of persons with disabilities, has laid off nine of their 18 staffers. The organization has three offices (in Mt. Vernon, Effingham, and Carmi). The cuts are expected to affect over 400 clients. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- Youth Guidance enables at-risk children in Chicago-area public schools to “overcome obstacles, focus on their education and, ultimately, to succeed in school and in life.” They have so far laid off 24 staff and have reduced in staff time for 18 others. These cuts eliminate services to 1101 students. (Verified by PI, 7/9/09)
- The Adolescent Health Center in Carbondale has laid off two full-time staff members in its Healthy Families Illinois program, which assists at-risk families in the four largely rural counties of Jackson, Perry, Franklin, and Williamson. A representative tells us: “We will not be able to serve any new families at this time, although we are going to try to maintain the caseload we have now, with a drastically reduced staff and this will impact how often families receive home visits. We also can no longer provide transportation to medical/social service appointments and can no longer offer monthly group meetings.” (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Prairie State Legal Services is laying off one employee at its Waukegan office. A representative tells us: “Up to seven to twelve further lay-offs are contemplated in upcoming months throughout this large legal aid law firm throughout Northern Illinois due to lack of funds.” (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Riverbend Head Start’s Family Foundations program has notified 15 of its employees that they will be out of job come July 15. The group provides housing assistance, employment support, literacy skills, early childhood development and transportation assistance to Madison County families with children ages 0 to 3 years. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- In Princeton, Gateway Services, Inc., which provides services in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties, has eliminated funding for in-home respite. This affects 40 families and 50 children with developmental disabilities. On August 1st, Gateway is terminating services to another 31 people for supported employment and 15 for family support services and reassigning 6 employees from those programs to other service areas. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Resources for Community Living in Rolling Meadows has laid off 20 percent of its staff and plans to begin to cutting services and further staff positions when our emergency cash reserve has been depleted, likely beginning this September. The agency matches adults with developmental disabilities with elderly homeowners in mutually beneficial homesharing arrangements. A representative tells us: “I anticipate that without the restoration of funding, this highly accredited, best practice model agency will be forced to downsize by at least 50%, merge or close our doors by the years end.” (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- On July 2, the South East Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center, a major provider of substance abuse treatment and prevention services on Chicago’s Southeast side, laid off 11 employees because of the state’s budget crisis. The agency has reduced service hours by 13 hours per week. SEADAC has a waiting list of 33 people requesting help and prior to the budget crisis. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Wells Center, a substance abuse treatment agency in Jacksonville, has notified staff that it will be closing its residential programs and laying off 34 staff effective September 1. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- The Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living (IVCIL) is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization serving persons with any type of disability in Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties. IVCIL was forced to lay off their Youth Advocate, Deaf Services Coordinator, and Independent Living Advocate, as well as to notify the remaining staff that they will be required to take unpaid days. Their center will close on the third Friday of each month unless cuts are restored. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center in Galesburg has laid off two of their seven full time employees. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- New Hope Center in Dolton “provides services that enhance the quality of life for persons with developmental disabilities.” They have either laid off or reduced hours for 11 employees and discontinued services to 11 clients. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Shelter, Inc. in Arlington Heights provides community-based, emergency and temporary housing for thousands of children and adolescents who are abused, neglected, dependent or in need of supervision. They have had to lay off six of eight staff members and have reduced caseloads accordingly. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- Family Shelter Services has terminated an emergency shelter program in Glen Ellyn which has been operating since 1980, serving over 3,000 women and children in that time. In addition, all administration and development staff have reduced hours and salary by 10 percent, a hiring freeze has been implemented on unfilled positions, and five full time positions have been eliminated. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- On July 10, five full time workers were laid off from Lifelink Corporation Healthy Families Program in Bensenville. Two more layoffs are scheduled for Friday July 17. As a result, 75 families will lose home visitation services. (Verified by PI, 7/10/09)
- ARC Community Support Systems, with offices in Effingham, Teutopolis and Olney, suspended services to 51 families in its in-home respite program, terminated its ABC Program that served 75 infants, children and their families, and ended Family Matters services to 78 children. The organization laid-off 18 workers and moved several others to part-time status. (Herald & Review, 7/13/09)
- On the weekend of July 4, Normal-based Marcfirst was forced to eliminate services to over 85 developmentally-disabled children and 80 adults leaving many of their families with nowhere else to turn. Sixty positions at Marcfirst were eliminated, while salaries for 28 other staff members were reduced by 12.5 percent. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- Heritage Behavioral Health Center in Decatur has laid off more than 20 of the agency’s 230 employees and cut the salaries of most of those remaining by 5 percent to 15 percent, effective July 13. The agency serves individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems. (Herald & Review, 7/12/09)
- The Healthy Families Illinois program at the Henry/Stark County Health Department has laid off four employees and will suspend services to 44 families as of July 31st until further notice. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- Safe Haven Recovery Homes, which provides housing and support for individuals recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, has cut the number of “client beds” by 150. They are also considering laying off a third of their staff (about 20 employees) by July 17. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- DePaul Family and Community Services, which primarily serves Medicaid population living in two Chicago Housing Authority communities — Cabrini-Green and Lathrop Homes — is laying off eight staff. Two satellite offices have also been closed. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- Maine Center in Park Ridge has suspended its child and adolescent pyschiatry program, which serves 350 families. All staff have taken a 20 percent pay cut. If funding is not restored, as many as 12 employees could be laid off. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- First Step Learning, Inc., which provides day care services in Belvidere, has laid off three employees. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- On July 8, Trilogy, Inc. laid off 28 employees. They are anticipating having to cut or eliminate services to about 130 clients. Trilogy provides mental health treatment for adults with serious mental illnesses in the Rogers Park and Evanston neighborhoods of Chicago. (Verified by PI, 7/13/09)
- Circlefamily HealthCare Network in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood laid off 11 of its employees in the adult behavioral health services division on June 9. Those workers represented about 35 percent of the agency’s staff in that division. (Verified by PI, 7/14/09)
- The Knox County Health Department laid off seven employees, effective July 24. “The state has given us no guidance as far as the budget is concerned,” Michele Fishburn, the department’s director of community health improvement, told Gatehouse News Service. (Gatehouse, 7/10/09)
- The Ounce of Prevention Fund, an early childhood program provider and advocacy organization, laid off 11 employees and moved three others from full-time to part-time status. Additionally, all remaining staff members are required to take five unpaid days before the end of the year. (Verified by PI, 7/14/09)
- Family Service and Mental Health Center of Cicero has begun terminating services to over 250 mentally ill adults and emotionally disturbed children. These clients depend on the agency to receive medication, counseling and support. The agency also plans to lay off five clinical staff positions by the end of July if funding is not restored. (Verified by PI, 7/14/09)
- The Milestone Dental Clinic in Rockford, which provides dental care to adults and children with developmental disabilities from 18 Illinois counties, has eliminated 4 full time staff positions, and reduced 2 full time positions to part time. (Verified by PI, 7/14/09)
- Marillac Social Center in Chicago laid off almost one-third of its 85-member staff and closed programs to prevent teen pregnancy and substance abuse. (AP, 7/14/09)
- Leyden Family Services, headquartered in Chicago’s Franklin Park neighborhood, treats people “with challenges in drug and alcohol use, gambling, mental health, emergency food and shelter, obtaining public benefits, children’s programs, family counseling and others.” The agency has discontinued a program that helps foster children, eliminating four staff people in the process. (Franklin Park Herald-Journal, 6/30/09)
Comment by Parent of a Disabled Son Wednesday, Jul 15, 09 @ 3:51 am