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| Yet More Budget Woes |
A couple of groups came to the state capitol Thursday calling for more funding. The Community Behavioral Healthcare Association, representing operators of group homes for the mentally ill, says it could face more than $90 million in cuts next fiscal year.
Frank Anselmo, CEO of the group, says that means about 72,000 people could lose the state mental health care services on which they rely. Anselmo says those people could end up in the criminal justice system instead, but they wouldn't get the help they need.
Greg Sullivan, executive director of the Illinois Sheriff's Association, agrees and is determined not to unjustly punish those affected.
The group delivered petitions with more than 10,000 signatures to Gov. Pat Quinn, calling for restored funding in the next budget. Anselmo says his group supports a tax increase in order to receive the proper funding.
A group of college students also held a news conference at the Capitol for the same reason. Students say they cannot afford rising tuition costs without the help of the Monetary Assistance Program. MAP grants were suspended recently because no money has been allocated to fund them for next year's budget. Quinn Wilson, who attends DePaul University, says he saves every penny for college that he can, including shopping at Goodwill.
Maggie Meza, a sophomore at Loyola University, says her parents had to go back to college because of their job situations, and left her to pay her own tuition costs.
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on May 7, and funding for these programs will have to be determined by then.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 04 23 10 by Newsroom |
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