Bill Would Restore Funding for Social Programs

Photo: 23-year-old Dan Gorog and State Sen. Dan Kotowski speak April 22 at a committee hearing to show the positive effects of the programs that would be cut if the funds are not made available.

On Good Friday, Gov. Bruce Rauner cut $26 million in social programs. The cuts would affect autism services, smoking cessation programs, AIDS support and many others.

On April 22, the Illinois Senate passed Senate Bill 274 to undo Rauner’s cuts. However, the bill still needs to be passed by the Illinois House, and Democrats there are not on board.

Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, told the State Journal-Register she does not support the Senate plan because the governor’s staff hasn’t sufficiently answered questions about how he is moving money around now. Steve Brown, House Speaker Mike Madigan’s spokesman, told reporters Madigan has not ”signed on.”

“This legislation is a byproduct of lengthy negotiations with Governor Rauner, Senate Democrats and Senate Republicans. By using surplus funds normally reserved for special interests, we can now restore funding for autism, epilepsy and substance abuse prevention,” State Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge, said in a press release last week. “These aren’t just numbers on paper; these are cuts that affect real people. I applaud the governor and both parties in our chamber for coming together to find a solution, without borrowing or raising taxes, to take care of children and families.”

Joliet resident Dan Gorog knows firsthand the importance of those programs affected by the cuts. His son, also named Dan, is autistic and benefited from them. Dan is now 23 years old and has a job.

Gorog recently went to Springfield to share his story. Although his son no longer receives autism services, because of those programs that have been cut, he was able to grow into a productive young man.

“Today he’s walking, talking and has a somewhat normal life,” Gorog said. “Without these skills, he would have wound up in a nursing home. The future for him would have been difficult.”

By spending money now to help those affected with autism, Gorog believes money will be saved in the long run.

Wednesday a court hearing will be held in Springfield to discuss the issue and Gorog is trying to get the word out about the bill and hopes people will attend the hearing or email their representative to voice their opinions.

“It seems to me that this is like standing in a parking lot and watching a bully pick on a kid,” Gorog said. “I’m not gonna stand on the sidelines and let that happen. My son won’t either.”

The hearing will be held at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning in room 114 at the Capitol building in Springfield.

Trinity Services is a non-profit organization in New Lenox that would be directly affected by the cuts if SB 274 isn’t passed. Trinity Director of Development Sherry Ladislas said it would mean the loss of its autism resource center, which is a part of The Autism Program of Illinois..

“It’s a group of community providers and universities who’ve all reached a consensus on what autism services should look like,” Ladislas said. “They want them to be evidence based. They realize the tremendous need for education in the community.”

Social skills training is also provided, as well as family counseling.

“Without this funding, that all goes away,” she said.

Clarification: The name of the Autism Program of Illinois was corrected in this story.