Endorsement: No, for now, on special needs panel

After the Kane County Board rejected a plan in 2012 to ask taxpayers if they wanted a new tax to support people with developmental disabilities, the Association for Individual Development launched the Show You Care campaign. The Community Leadership Team of Show You Care decided to appeal directly to the voters and a referendum was born. The CLT says more than 1,000 people are on waiting lists to "receive basic human services," and Illinois ranks 48th out of 50 states in providing help to people with conditions from Down syndrome to autism. The CLT consists of parents of disabled children, 708 service boards and other service providers. It says there are about 40,000 county residents with a developmental disability. That's a lot of people who need help developing independent living skills, with job training, and everyday needs. So, the concept of helping has merit and there is a clear need. Yet, many questions remain unanswered about this proposal. Too many. If approved, the county board would create a Developmental Disability Board. It's unclear how much the tax would be and how funds would be allocated. There are county 708 boards except in the north end. Will people living in a town serviced by a 708 board continue to pay a tax to 708 plus a separate county tax? Will the 708s be disbanded in favor of a countywide approach? We like the concept of this proposal, but before we can endorse it, we'd like supporters to take time to nail down the specifics, then bring the idea back when it is ready.