Progress Center for Independent Living Calls on Gov. Rauner to Fully Fund a 2016 Budget
Staff face furloughs and office closure while consumers face cuts in services
On Monday, August 31, 2015, Progress Center for Independent Living will hold a
press conference expressing the need for Governor Bruce Rauner to pass a 2016
budget that fully funds community-based services for people with disabilities and
seniors.
The press conference will be held Monday, August 31, 2015 at 11 a.m., at the Progress Center for Independent Living, 7521 Madison Street, Forest Park, IL.
With Governor Rauner still refusing to pass a state budget, Progress Center said it is
trying to remain open as long as possible during the budget crisis. Currently, both
offices are closed on Fridays due to furloughs. This is the time people with
disabilities and seniors need help the most, as people with disabilities and
seniors do not know how long they will receive community-based supports, and
providers do not know how long they will continue to be paid. The independence
of thousands of people with disabilities and seniors across Illinois is at risk.
The press conference will call on Governor Rauner to pass the 2016 budget and to
ensure that community-based services will be fully funded. Personal testimonies
will be shared that illustrate how the budget cuts are impacting people with
disabilities and seniors.
The press conference comes nearly two months after the 2016 budget should
have gone into effect and just two months after celebrating the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which makes it illegal to
discriminate against people with disabilities.
Collaborating groups will include: Progress Center for Independent Living, SEIU
Healthcare Illinois, Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living.
For more information, contact Rachel Siler at 708.209.1500 (office);
312.479.0220 (cell); rsiler@progresscil.org or Larry Biondi at 708.209.1500 (office); 312.898.5691 (cell); lbiondi@progresscil.org
