Lombard autism group may disband

Donors are stepping forward to help the Autism Society of Illinois since last week's announcement that the cash-strapped organization could be forced to close by the end of the year.

The Lombard-based group is looking for ways to recover from a $53,000 budget deficit. Even that, however, will only keep the doors open and lights on for "a few months" into the new year.

Individual donors have contributed more than $7,000 since last week. But society officials said more financial help is needed before a Nov. 30 deadline.

To date, cost-cutting moves include eliminating one full-time employee position and three part-time jobs. Executive Director Kimberly Maddox is the only society employee remaining.

Eric Smith, president of the society's board, said the board this week is planning to discuss the possibility of hiring back some case referral staff and an administrative assistant, at least on a part-time basis.

"So far, we've been able to raise about $7,000 of the $53,000 total that we need," Maddox said Monday. "But no angels have fallen from the sky just yet.

"Our cup is half full, and it will stay that way until the lights are turned off," Maddox added.

In addition to the financial assistance, Maddox said her phone and e-mail have been buzzing with messages from people willing to donate their time.

Officials said the society's board of trustees could use the help after losing five of its nine members in the last week to infighting and disagreements over some event-planning mishaps.

"Assuming we make it through this crisis, we'll be looking for new blood on our board of directors," Smith said. "But we're not going down without a fight.

"We need some help from folks with public relations backgrounds, legal backgrounds and fundraising experience," Smith added.

Smith said the deficit amassed quickly and caught some members by surprise.

"We waited too long to make our appeal, and it shocked some people," he said. "We had a great fundraiser in April that put us back in high spirits. So we thought we could handle it ourselves without having to ask for outside help."

Annual membership fluctuates. But an average of about 800 members pay $40 annually. Smith said several thousand more families utilize the organization's services, causing a large funding gap.