ELM CITY CENTER

1314 West Walnut, Jacksonville, Illinois 62650

Off: 217-245-9504 Fax: 217-245-2350

Email: ecc@elmcity.org Web page: www.elmcity.org

Work and Independence for people with disabilities.

Dear __________:

The Governor’s proposed budget for FY 07 does not include a CODB for the community-based system of supports for persons with disabilities. The state administered system of care received $58.1 million for staff cost of living adjustments and merit increases; a $6 million increase for gas, electric and energy costs; more money for equipment and vehicles; and additional increases for property improvements. In all, state operated facilities will receive over $80 million in new resources. We believe persons with disabilities deserve the same level of quality staff and supports in community settings. The Administration says we are partners, however, a true partner would not provide millions of dollars for one system of supports and zero funding for the other. Additionally, the proposed budget does not include any funding to address the thousands of consumers waiting for community services as verified by the PUNS data collection system.

(Name of Agency) is fortunate to have dedicated staff to provide the necessary supports for people with disabilities in (location of agency).  (List how many people you serve in your community programs and the importance of continuity of care for persons with disabilities.  Explain how your agency’s operational costs have increased this past year, i.e. utilities, transportation, health insurance.  Thank them for last year’s 3% CODB, however, explain that your costs continue to increase as well – provide specific examples of increased costs.) 

Don’t let the Governor say no to people with disabilities and the people who support them – please help us make the budget whole. We respectfully request that funding for a CODB for the community system of supports be included in the FY 07 budget. Illinois must first maintain services before we expand them. We are also requesting that additional funding be provided to address the needs of individuals waiting for residential supports and day services. We are enclosing a copy of our agenda.

Your legislative efforts and support are greatly appreciated. We hope you will advocate on our behalf so that we can maintain services for those our organization currently serves and address the needs of those persons who currently must wait.

Sincerely,

Your name

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State and Zip Code

Date

Name and Address

Dear ______________:

The Governor’s proposed budget for FY 07 does not include a CODB for the community-based system of supports for persons with disabilities. The state administered system of care received $58.1 million for staff cost of living adjustments and merit increases; a $6 million increase for gas, electric and energy costs; more money for equipment and vehicles; and additional increases for property improvements. In all, state operated facilities will receive over $80 million in new resources. I believe persons with disabilities deserve the same level of quality staff and supports in community settings.

Elm City Rehabilitation Center is fortunate to have dedicated staff to provide the necessary supports for people with disabilities in Jacksonville, IL.  They serve almost 200 adults with mental and physical impairments who have had long-term, ongoing needs.  In the last year our utilities have jumped to 50% over last year.  Health insurance has climbed 50% in the last several years.  Since we provide transportation for our consumers, we have also been hit hard with the rising price of gasoline.

Don’t let the Governor say no to people with disabilities and the people who support them – please help us make the budget whole.  I respectfully request that funding for a CODB for the community system of supports be included in the FY 07 budget. Illinois must first maintain services before we expand them. I am also requesting that additional funding be provided to address the needs of individuals waiting for residential supports and day services.

Your legislative efforts and support are greatly appreciated. I hope you will advocate on our behalf so that we can maintain services for those our organization currently serve and address the needs of those persons who currently must wait.

Sincerely,

Your Name

March 13, 2006

Sent to Rep Watson and Senator Demuzio

Name and Address

Dear ____________________

The Governor’s proposed budget for FY 07 does not include a CODB for the community-based system of supports for persons with disabilities. During the recent Senate Appropriations I Committee on March 7, 2006, Senator Rauschenberger directly asked Secretary Adams if she had included a CODB line item for community providers when she made her FY 2007 request for DHS. She answered with “No”. In the same meeting, Senator Syverson focused on DHS’s representation that their FY 2007 request was “maintenance.” He said that apparently he had a different definition for maintenance than DHS since DHS’s definition includes an 8.5% increase for state programs and a 0% increase for community programs. During the House Human Services Appropriations hearings held in Chicago on March 6, 2006, numerous committee members raised questions concerning how the Governor’s proposed budget includes $80 million in new funding for the state administered system and there was nothing for community based systems like Elm City.  The state administered system of care received $58.1 million for staff cost of living adjustments and merit increases; a $6 million increase for gas, electric and energy costs; more money for equipment and vehicles; and additional increases for property improvements.

We believe persons with disabilities deserve the same level of quality staff and supports in community settings. The Administration says we are partners, however, a true partner would not provide millions of dollars for one system of supports and zero funding for the other. Additionally, the proposed budget does not include any funding to address the thousands of consumers waiting for community services as verified by the PUNS data collection system.

Elm City is fortunate to have dedicated staff to provide the necessary supports for people with disabilities in Jacksonville. We serve almost 200 adults with mental and physical impairments who have had long-term, ongoing needs. In the last year we have watched our utilities jump 50% over last year. Health insurance has climbed 50% in the last several years. We have staff who pay more for health insurance that they take home for a paycheck. Like everyone else we are paying more for transportation. Last year we did receive a 3% CODB through your efforts and we are very thankful for that amount. Our operational expenses do not stop just because Secretary Adams does not include community services in the Departments plan for next year.  

Don’t let the Governor say no to people with disabilities and the people who support them – please help us make the budget whole. We respectfully request that funding for a CODB for the community system of supports be included in the FY 07 budget. Illinois must first maintain services before we expand them. We are also requesting that additional funding be provided to address the needs of individuals waiting for residential supports and day services. We are enclosing a copy of our agenda.

Your legislative efforts and support are greatly appreciated. We hope you will advocate on our behalf so that we can maintain services for those our organization currently serves and address the needs of those persons who currently must wait.

Sincerely,

Tom Frederick

President/CEO

March 13, 2006

Gov. Rod Blagojevich

207 Statehouse

Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Governor Blagojevich:

Your proposed budget for FY 07 does not include a CODB for the community-based system of supports for persons with disabilities. During the recent Senate Appropriations I Committee on March 7, 2006, Senator Rauschenberger directly asked Secretary Adams if she had included a CODB line item for community providers when she made her FY 2007 request for DHS. She answered with “No”. In the same meeting, Senator Syverson focused on DHS’s representation that their FY 2007 request was “maintenance.” He said that apparently he had a different definition for maintenance than DHS since DHS’s definition includes an 8.5% increase for state programs and a 0% increase for community programs. During the House Human Services Appropriations hearings held in Chicago on March 6, 2006, numerous committee members raised questions concerning how the Governor’s proposed budget includes $80 million in new funding for the state administered system and there was nothing for community based systems like Elm City.  The state administered system of care received $58.1 million for staff cost of living adjustments and merit increases; a $6 million increase for gas, electric and energy costs; more money for equipment and vehicles; and additional increases for property improvements.

We believe persons with disabilities deserve the same level of quality staff and supports in community settings. Your Administration says we are partners, however, a true partner would not provide millions of dollars for one system of supports and zero funding for the other. Additionally, the proposed budget does not include any funding to address the thousands of consumers waiting for community services as verified by the PUNS data collection system.

Elm City is fortunate to have dedicated staff to provide the necessary supports for people with disabilities in Jacksonville. We serve almost 200 adults with mental and physical impairments who have had long-term, ongoing needs. In the last year we have watched our utilities jump 50% over last year. Health insurance has climbed 50% in the last several years. We have staff who pay more for health insurance that they take home for a paycheck. Like everyone else we are paying more for transportation. Last year we did receive a 3% CODB through your efforts and we are very thankful for that amount. Our operational expenses do not stop just because Secretary Adams does not include community services in the Departments plan for next year.  

GOVERNOR, DO NOT SAY NO TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THEM – PLEASE HELP US MAKE THE BUDGET WHOLE. We respectfully request that funding for a CODB for the community system of supports be included in the FY 07 budget. Illinois must first maintain services before we expand them. We are also requesting that additional funding be provided to address the needs of individuals waiting for residential supports and day services. We are enclosing a copy of our agenda.

Your legislative efforts and support are greatly appreciated. We hope you will advocate on our behalf so that we can maintain services for those our organization currently serves and address the needs of those persons who currently must wait.

Sincerely,

Tom Frederick

President/CEO

An equal opportunity employer.

Revised - 1/15/08