Legislative Alerts

“The Illinois Disgrace!"

The “State of the States in Developmental Disabilities” is a nationwide study of how states rank in serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The report was first published 30 years ago. The Report is supported in part by the United States Department of Health & Human Services. The Report is distributed in collaboration with The American Association on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD). The complete 309 page “Study” is available for purchase from AAIDD. The 2008 study reflects that Illinois ranks:

51st (includes D.C.) in percentage of persons with developmental disabilities in out-of-home settings residing in settings of 6 or fewer.
51st (includes D.C.) in utilization rate by individuals with developmental disabilities in settings for six or fewer.
47th (includes D.C.) in home and community based services (HCBS) waiver spending per capita.
42nd in percentage of individuals with developmental disabilities in supported or competitive employment.
.44th (that is, the 7th highest) in the number of residents with DD in nursing home settings.
43rd in fiscal effort – spending in the community.
41st in spending for supported living and personal assistance per capita.
36th in percentage of change in spending for community services (2004 to 2006).
27th of the 31 States receiving “Money Follows the Person Grants”, in the percentage of current institutional residents (16+) proposed to be transitioned to small community settings.
9th in fiscal effort – spending on institutions.
6th in the estimated number of individuals with developmental disabilities living with caregivers 60 years and older.

United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) in its report "The Case for Inclusion" (2007) ranks Illinois:

47th over-all
48th supporting individuals in the community
45th allocating resources to individuals in the community (non-ICFs)
45th allocating resources to those in the community (non-ICFs/State Operated Institutions)
43rd supporting meaningful work

The National Alliance on Mental Illness in its last national report (2006) grades Illinois:

"F" over-all (one of only 8 states to receive an "F")
"F" Information Access
"F" Services
"D -" Infrastructure
"D" Recovery Supports

Why is this the case you might ask? Illinois is the 10th wealthiest state per capita. The answer is that individuals with developmental disabilities, your child and my child, are not the priority that individuals with developmental disabilities are in other states, in just about ALL other states. All states are having “budget” issues. Yet other states, even in difficult economic times, are making our children a priority. It is a disgrace. Shame on Illinois. But for the grace of G-d, it could be their child, grandchild, sister, or brother. Tell your elected officials to just “do the right thing”. Ask the Governor, your State Representative and State Senator, how we can be listed, again, and again on the bottom of the states. I stated again, and again, for we have been on the bottom of the states for many years, for many “State of the States" reports. Speak up, and speak out for our children.

Distributed by Brian Ruban, parent of a son with Autism, and a Special Needs Planning Attorney. www.SNFP.net