(Chicago, IL) — Fifty-percent budget cuts to human services across Illinois are devastating. To substance abuse treatment and case management programs, a 50-percent cut would not be remotely acceptable — but it would be an improvement.
Most substance abuse treatment agencies funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Division of Alcoholism and Substance (DHS/DASA) received letters this week announcing 72-76 percent cuts to their programs. TASC was among these.
The doomsday budget cuts are set to take effect July 1. With no assurance that the budget will be resolved soon, social service agencies are making plans for program closures and staff furloughs or layoffs.
Cuts Fly in Face of TASC’s Cost-Saving Child Welfare Programs
Child welfare programs also are being slashed, including TASC’s child welfare and family services.
TASC’s Recovery Coach program for parents, offered under the leadership of the llinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), has been enormously successful, saving the state more than $5 million over a 5-year period. However, this program too faces elimination under the FY10 state budget as it stands.
The Recovery Coach program works with men and women who have lost custody of their children due to the parent’s addiction. Through the program, parents receive treatment, intensive case management, parenting skills training, and other services that will allow for family reunification. Without this program and without treatment, parents like Kim and Janice are likely to permanently lose custody of their children.
Special Legislative Session Will Begin Tuesday, June 23
Once again on Wednesday, Governor Pat Quinn, Senate President John Cullerton, House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross met. Following the meeting, Senator Cullerton announced that a special legislative session will begin next Tuesday.
View legislative leaders’ post-meeting comments on the Capitol Fax blog.
It is long past time for the state budget to be settled. We call on the Governor and legislative leaders to restore funding to these vital, cost-saving services immediately.
TASC BLOG 
Contact your representatives by clicking this link: http://bit.ly/zIxoA
On May 31, 2009, the Illinois General Assembly passed a partial budget which created a $9.2 billion funding gap which is now forcing draconian cuts in fundamental state services.
A budget that cuts human services and other vital programs by 50% or more will result in significant job losses, perhaps as high as several hundred thousand jobs across Illinois. Instead of helping others, collecting a paycheck, purchasing goods and services in local communities and paying taxes, these individuals will be collecting unemployment insurance and public aid.
A vote for a fair income tax increase will protect vital services that Illinois families depend on, especially in these difficult economic times we find ourselves in. We cannot fill a $9.2 billion budget hole through cuts, therefore new revenues are needed. Government reforms that will serve the public interest are important, but please don’t hold human services hostage in the process.
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES NOW!
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