Support programs for most vulnerable

As a parent of a developmentally disabled son, I am writing to appeal to the citizens of Illinois to adequately support agencies like Clearbrook, based in Arlington Heights.

My son David lives in a Clearbrook home and works through a vocational program at Clearbrook's Palatine Getz Workshop.

As a volunteer for Clearbrook fundraisers, I have always found the people in our area to be kind, generous, and supportive of Clearbrook clients and its programs. What is difficult for me to understand is the disconnect between the generosity of Illinois citizens individually and the policies of their elected representatives.

No matter what party is in power and who is governor, the answer is always the same:, cut monies, cut programs.

Often the state doesn't even pay Clearbrook and other social service agencies monies owed them on time.

Under the current governor's policies the theme is shared sacrifice, but over the last 20 years I have found it is the most vulnerable citizens who are always bearing the blunt of our states's fiscal woes and continue to do so.

My son David is lucky that he receives services through Clearbrook, a fiscally knowledgeable and responsible agency. I only wish the state could be run in such a responsible manner.

In the meantime, there are thousands of disabled citizens who, because of aging parents or family situations, are not even receiving desperately needed services.

As Illinois goes through another budget process, please remember David and his peers. They don't have big business interests, they don't have moneyed lobbyists, they don't give big money to our politicians. and their plight is one example of what is broken in Springfield. One step is to call or email your local representatives on their behalf.

Juli Cicarelli

Arlington Heights