Don't cut mental health services
On March 10, Gov. Quinn proposed a state budget that cuts certain community mental health services for those with a mental illness by 44 percent.
Other human services cuts that in this proposed budget include an average of 9.5 percent to child care services, services to those with developmental disabilities, services for those in domestic violence shelters and services for in home care for the elderly.
These cuts are unacceptable to me and they should be unacceptable to every taxpayer in this state.
I agree that the state needs to do its best to cut a bloated budget. But to balance the state budget on the backs of human services is unconscionable.
Every resident of this state knows a person who struggles with a mental illness.
Every resident of this state knows a family who needs subsidized child care so that they can work and be a responsible taxpayer.
Every resident of this state knows a family who has been touched by domestic violence.
Every resident of this state knows a family with a member with a developmental disability.
Every resident of this state knows a senior who needs home care so that he or she can remain in their home.
These issues may touch your own family, your neighbors, your friends or your work colleagues.
Residents of Illinois, we are better than this. Let your state senators and representative know that gutting human service programs is not the answer to the budget crisis in Illinois.
Lisa A. La Forge
Executive Director
Family Service Association of Greater Elgin Area
Glen Ellyn