7/2/2009
Arc and Ligas Update on Fairness Hearing
It was a strange day at the Fairness Hearing for the Ligas Consent Decree. About 200 people were crammed into two courtrooms for the hearing which lasted the entire day. U.S. District Judge Holderman stated that he had never seen so many individuals show up for a Fairness Hearing.
|
|
|
|
|
7/2/2009
Arc Action Ideas on Cuts to Human Services
This morning The Arc Board, Staff and Exec's met to discuss next steps in restoring the cuts to human services.Here are some things you can be doing as the Human Services Coalition crafts its statewide plan.
|
|
|
7/1/2009
Arc and Gov Threatens Veto
In case you were unable to hear the Governor's speech to the Senate and House members, it was a very good speech directed at legislators and what they need to do to solve our budget problems in Illinois.
|
|
|
7/1/2009
Arc and Time to Regroup!
We need to regroup! This morning I was trying to make sense about the budget meltdown that occurred in the Capitol yesterday. The Senate failed to pass the $2.2 billion borrowing bill approved by the House and the Governor closed the door on a one month budget which would restore the cuts to your services.
|
|
|
7/1/2009
Arc and Gov Vetoes State Budget
Here is a summary of the Governor's press conference. It was a good press conference and the Governor did the right thing!
|
|
|
7/1/2009
Arc Alert on Doomsday Budget Override
Another thing we have to be extremely worried about is the possible override of the "doomsday" budget which Governor Quinn vetoed today, Senate Bill 1197. We cannot let legislators even consider this as an option!
|
|
|
6/30/2009
Arc and Few Options Remain
As advocates held vigils around the state, the House voted to borrow $2.2 billion mainly to restore human services cuts. Even with the borrowing the cuts could be as much as 30%! The Senate is also expected to concur with the House later today, the final day of the fiscal year.
|
|
|
6/30/2009
Arc and Possible Court Action
Legal advocates are working on strtegy's to prevent the "doomsday" budget from being implemented. Consider sending the declaration to Equip for Equality first thing this morning. See below.
|
|
|
|
|
6/30/2009
Arc and Equip Files Lawsuit and Gov to Speak to Joint Session
We expect the Senate to pass the borrowing of $2.2 billion later today. It is now being discussed in the Senate Executive Committee. These funds which will be directed at "community-based human services" will only fund us at 70%! We need 100% restoration!
|
|
|
6/29/2009
Arc and Illinois Kicks Disabled Out of Wheelchairs Again
I am heading down to the Capitol to see if lawmakers can agree upon a full year's budget and restore all of the cuts to human services. They have many options but the one I think will prevail will be a short-term fix with some borrowing to restore most of the cuts. They will then head out of town and revisit the budget in the Fall Veto Session. Time will tell!
|
|
|
|
|
6/29/2009
Arc and State Budget Mess
This really is a big week for disability advocates. Not only are legislators returning to the Capitol to work on restoring cuts to human services but Anne Shannon will deliver her recommendations to Governor Quinn on the state institution Howe in Tinley Park.
|
|
|
|
|
6/26/2009
Arc Update and a Disgraceful Budget
Yesterday late afternoon I was able to attend a solemn vigil at Seguin Services in Cicero. About 100 advocates gathered to pray together to save our services. Clergy, people with disabilities, families and advocates were very powerful. They will be there until the end of the fiscal year on Tuesday, June 30th. The vigil is held twice a day at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily. Join them if you can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/26/2009
Arc and Deadline Schmedline Today's Chicago Tribune Editorial
Wow! What a day at Park Lawn today! About 350 families, individuals with disabilities and advocates showed up at our Legislative Forum! It was a positive give and take between the Senators and Representatives present with the audience. Hats off to Brendan McCormick and Jim Weise for putting this forum together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/24/2009
Arc and What Did the Protesters Do?
What a day it was! Estimates of 5,000 or more jammed into the Capitol for the Human Services Rally. This was the first time I can remember that they closed admissions into the Capitol because the crowd was so big!
|
|
|
|
|
6/24/2009
Arc and Hynes Says Quinn Inconsistent on Budget Problems
You may have heard about Comptroller's Hynes letter to Governor Quinn recommending less drastic cuts to human services and that legislators pass a 60 day budget. Then the Governor and the Legislative Leaders could build a full years state budget.
|
|
|
|
|
6/24/2009
Arc and Lawmakers Leave Town - Set Up Budget Showdown Next Week
It looks like the Governor and the Legislative Leaders may be making some progress in the budget talks. They are however waiting until the last possible moment to act. Let's hope they keep working together and restore the cuts to human services. Time will tell.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/20/2009
Arc and This State is Sick!
I had the opportunity to meet with Governor Quinn today because of an event the was hosted by Kristin MacRAE, President of CARC. There were also with many other disability advocates in attendance as well. Kristin and her team did an excellent job of stating the crisis we are facing in the human services community. Governor Quinn's message was clear and to the point, legislators have not finished their jobs and they need to return to the Capitol to support new revenue . . .
|
|
|
|
|
6/19/2009
Arc Important Info on Your DHS Contracts from Director Teninty
Some of you may be thinking that you should not sign your contract but rather wait and see what the General Assembly will do between now and July 1st. My advice to you is that you sign your contract with the cuts and know that should a new budget and new resources be approved, your contract will be amended. (See Memo below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/17/2009
Arc Updated Rallies and Legislative Forums
Governor Quinn will be attending some of the human services rallies below. Keep up the great work!!! This is a new and updated list of some of the rally's and media events I am aware of . . .
|
|
|
6/17/2009
Arc and Vigil of Hope and Prayer
John Voit, Exec at Seguin Services and his team are holding a "Vigil of Hope and Prayer" at their main office. See additional information . . .
|
|
|
|
|
6/16/2009
Arc and Disability Budget Cuts and Budget Briefing on Your Computer
It was a shocking day yesterday as families and providers got notice that their programs were being eliminated or reduced by as much as 50%. One of our Exec's asked how do you provide 24 hour community living when you are told your rates will be reduced by 30%? Services funded by the Division of Rehabilitation Services were reduced by 50% . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/15/2009
Arc and Sharing the Pain
We met with the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune last week. They picked up on many of our issues but they did not call for a tax increase. This is from Sundays Chicago Tribune!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/12/2009
Arc and Lets Not Forget Our Supporters
Let us not forget those that supported the tax increase in the Illinois House of Representatives. We are going to need them again! I sent this letter to the 42 legislator that supported us today!
|
|
|
6/12/2009
Arc Legislative Targets for Doomsday Budget
Okay, here are the targeted members in the Illinois House. We need them to support an income tax increase and to not vote on any state budget that cuts disability or human services!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6/11/2009
Arc to Elect New Board Members
I am delighted to inform you of our new slate of nominees for The Arc of Illinois Board of Directors which will be voted on Saturday.
|
|
|
6/10/2009
Arc Talking Points on Doomsday Budget Cuts
Human Services advocates met with the Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune yesterday. We discussed the impact the "doomsday" budget would have on human services and it was not a pretty picture! It was an excellent exchange between the board and advocates. We met for over an hour!
|
|
|
6/8/2009
Arc Update and Social Service Advocates Predict Disaster
This week the Governor will meet with the Legislative Leaders to discuss reform and new revenue. Right now the Gov's staff is looking at different variations of budget cuts to human services if the Gov and the Legislative Leaders cannot reach agreement this week . . .
|
|
|
6/5/2009
Arc and Pork & Priorities
Powerful editorial from the Chicago Tribune, "There's something very wrong when the state can find millions to provide better accommodations for the lions, tigers and bears while its disabled and impoverished citizens twist in the wind."
|
|
|
6/5/2009
Arc Action Alert on Budget Cuts & Legislative Targets
Please share this with everyone you know. This is also attached as a Word document. Massive budget cuts to direct services for infants, children and adults with disabilities will be going into effect July 1, 2009 unless legislators vote for new revenue to cover an $8.5 billion statewide deficit!
|
|
|
6/5/2009
Arc and State Officials Talk About Layoffs
Here is a good summary of yesterdays meeting with the Governor and the Legislative Leaders. Among other things layoffs of state employees are now on the table.
|
|
|
6/5/2009
Arc and Disability Advocates Rally Over Budget Cuts
There was a huge rally at the Thompson Center as the Governor and the Legislative Leaders met to discuss cuts to the proposed budget and new revenue. The Gov and the Leaders could not avoid the disability advocates . . .
|
|
|
|
|
6/4/2009
Arc and Quinn's Wrong Targets
The Legislative Leaders and the Governor will meet today in Chicago to discuss balancing a state budget. The Republican leadership has been asking for spending and ethics reform before they will consider new revenue. Today's editorial in the Chicago Tribune gives us some further insight into the reforms the Republicans may be considering about budget reforms.
|
|
|
6/3/2009
Arc and Cuts to Community Services Getting Worse by the Day
We had a very informative meeting today with Representative Kathy Ryg, Director Lilia Teninty and Phil Milsk, Arc Governmental Affairs Consultant with about 40 Exec's in The Arc. The main topic was the new state budget. The message about the new state budget is worse than we thought . . .
|
|
|
6/2/2009
Arc and DDD Budget Status Update
Here is a memo from Director about the budget status of the Division of Developmental Disabilities. I know the Director and her staff are working very hard to get you the specific information on how this new state budget effects the people served and your organization . . .
|
|
|
6/2/2009
Arc and Fighting Back - The Battle Begins
Today I will meet with Anne Shannon to discuss the situation at Howe in Tinley Park. Anne will report and make recommendations to Governor Quinn on the future of Howe by the end of June. Tomorrow I head to Chicago for the monthly meeting with the Illinois Conference of Executives of The Arc.
|
|
|
6/1/2009
Arc and People Will Suffer Under This Budget
Legislators shirked their responsibilities in the Capitol and passed a lump sum budget that could require cuts of 50%. Budget details will be left to state agency directors to manage! The budget is Senate Bill 1197 . . .
|
|
|
6/1/2009
Arc Alert - We Need To Educate Legislators Who Voted No
I know some of you are very angry about the state budget that was passed last night. We need to remain calm and develop a plan to educate legislators about the importance of the services we provide and the staff who work so hard . . .
|
|
|
6/1/2009
Arc and Budget Cuts
Many of you have been asking me about cuts to services because of the new state budget shortfall. Because legislators passed a lump sum budget, there were no line items to view . . .
|
|
|
Translate this site
admin 
1997 - 2009 The Arc of Illinois | All Rights Reserved | This site is powered by Albanese Consulting, Inc.
QMRP Seminar
