Tom Cullerton passes measure to ease the burden on families

SPRINGFIELD- Currently, there are 19,808 Illinois residents on the waitlist for development disability services.

State Senator Tom Cullerton passed a measure that would take the time spent on the waiting list in addition to other factors when selecting which individuals will receive services.

"Any time we can pass legislation to help our developmental-disabled population, it makes us a stronger and better state," Cullerton said.

House Bill 6086 is an initiative of Autism Speaks. The organization came to Cullerton because they believed it is difficult for families who have spent a significant amount of time on the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) waiting list to receive developmental disability services for their family members.

"With the passage of House Bill 6086, I hope it will be the first step of many to improve the chances of people with autism and other developmental disabilities, of being chosen for services in the future, from the states PUNS waiting list," Mike Baker, Volunteer State Advocacy Chair from Autism Speaks.

PUNS is a statewide database with information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services. The database does not function as a first-come, first-served service; the enrollments are categorized by need, and families with immediate needs are served first.

House Bill 6086 passed the Senate and House with bipartisan support and now moves to the governor's desk for his consideration.