'Autism Awareness Month'

April being Autism Awareness month re-energizes me to advocate for my son with autism to have a happy future living his adult life in his community. It is also a time to appreciate all Illinois state legislators' work to improve services every day for people like my son Bryan and all people in Illinois with developmental disabilities.

As a father of a wonderful young man who happens to have autism, I will be working on the biggest project of my life up to now. However long it takes me and how much work needs to be done will not matter. Getting Illinois House Bills 5538 and 5539 passed in the Illinois legislature by year's end and improving futures for people like Bryan with developmental disabilities will be my priority this year. My son's future is that important.

Standing by and accepting the status quo should not be an option anymore for special needs young adults.

Mike Baker

Schaumburg