Governor Bruce Rauner just presented his budget speech to the General Assembly. You will find below a quick snapshot of the cuts he is proposing. This list is by no means inclusive, but will give you an indication of the challenges that lie ahead. I am committed to passing a responsible budget but oppose these cuts. Illinois should NOT balance its budget on the backs of children, the elderly, frail and vulnerable. Here are some of the Governor’s proposals:
- Limiting eligibility for Dept. of Aging Community Care Programs
- Decreasing CCP services by 1 hour per week
- Raising the Determination of Need (DON) score from 29 to 37
- Eliminate add-on rates that provides health insurance to homecare workers
- Cutting DCFS by $148 million
- Eliminates all DCFS services for youth 18-21 for another $167.1 million
- Cut adult dental and podiatry services as well as kidney transplants for undocumented children.
- Eliminate exemptions for drugs for Severe Mental Illness from the 4 prescription limit.
- Reduce rates for facilities for children on ventilators, Supportive Living Facilities and children with Severe Mental Illness
- $735 million in cuts to hospitals serving Medicaid populations
- Eliminating assistance to families with Hemophilia
- Freezing intakes on childcare for children over 6
- Increasing childcare copays
- $27.5 million in reductions to community substance abuse programs
- $82 million reduction to community mental health programs
- Eliminate State Funding for the following:
- ARC of Illinois
- Autism Project
- Homeless Youth Services
- Children’s Place
- Teen Reach
- Supportive Housing
- Immigrant Integration Services
- Advanced Placement Classes
- After School Matters
- Agricultural Education
- Arts and Foreign Language Programs
- Parent Mentoring
- Regional Safe Schools
- $15.8 million cuts from ADAP and Breast and Cervical Cancer Programs
- 5% cut to higher education
This is only a quick summary of the proposals. Usually the Governor’s Office provides advance copies to legislators and the media for review. They did not this year, so more thorough and complete information will surely follow. I will send it on as it becomes available to me.
As always, I can be reached in Chicago at 773 348 3434, in Springfield at 217 782 3835 or at greg@gregharris.org