Earlier today the House passed the FY19 state budget appropriations bill 97-18-0. See here how your house members voted. See how your senator voted. Here is the BIMP language as well. Remember there is the budget appropriations bill and then the BIMB which is the implementation bill.
The Arc of Illinois is very pleased that the Legislature has chosen to pass the FY19 budget on time, restoring and addition to funding that helps to support people with disabilities and families. This includes a $0.50 wage increase for frontline staff, restoration of the DD grants including The Autism Program, Life Span and others, and dental grants and respite. The budget also includes additional preventative dental funding for Medicaid recipients (see the BIMP language). Although we would like to see additional funding for wages, this budget is a good next step. We also realize that this budget does not appropriate money to pay off overdue bills except for what’s been included for unappropriated spending during the impasse. The current bill backlog is $6.6 billion, but that’s expected to rise.
THANK YOUR LEGISLATORS!
It is critical to thank the legislators for their effort. Please call or email your legislators. You can click here to find their contact information.
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org