Dear
The Illinois Center for Autism is once again facing the elimination of grant funded programs and a potential
2.5% cut in all other DHS programs. These cuts will result in at least a $450,000 reduction in funding for ICA.
These budget cuts will dramatically impact all Adult and Client/Family Support Services. We are asking for your
help to restore ICA’s funding for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This loss in funding will
have a damaging impact on our ability to continue providing services to this most vulnerable population and their
families.
As you know, ICA grant programs provide essential service to 25 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
and support for over 200 families in addition to resource/referral for a significant number of other consumers.
The Illinois Center for Autism has a long history of working with individuals with some of the most challenging
behaviors, often being a last chance before an institutional type placement becomes the only option and at a
much greater cost to the general public. For over 17 years, Pasta Fare has successfully worked with adults with
ASD providing them the opportunity to be productive, tax paying citizens.
For ICA, the budget cuts will dramatically impact all adult services and Client/Family Support Services. The loss
of these funds will at the very least, result in the following:
• Reduction in services to adults for day programming
• Loss of jobs for tax paying citizens (this includes clients and staff)
• Reduction in support services for families
We are asking for your help in preventing the devastating impact these cuts will have on our clients, families and
community.
In addition, we need to request that DHS continue funding The Autism Program (TAP) of which ICA is a network
partner. ICA and the Foundation for Autism Services Today and Tomorrow (FASTT) which serves many of our
former students, receives funding thorough the TAP grant.
Sincerely,
The Illinois Center for Autism is once again facing the elimination of grant funded programs and a potential
2.5% cut in all other DHS programs. These cuts will result in at least a $450,000 reduction in funding for ICA.
These budget cuts will dramatically impact all Adult and Client/Family Support Services. We are asking for your
help to restore ICA’s funding for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This loss in funding will
have a damaging impact on our ability to continue providing services to this most vulnerable population and their
families.
As you know, ICA grant programs provide essential service to 25 adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
and support for over 200 families in addition to resource/referral for a significant number of other consumers.
The Illinois Center for Autism has a long history of working with individuals with some of the most challenging
behaviors, often being a last chance before an institutional type placement becomes the only option and at a
much greater cost to the general public. For over 17 years, Pasta Fare has successfully worked with adults with
ASD providing them the opportunity to be productive, tax paying citizens.
For ICA, the budget cuts will dramatically impact all adult services and Client/Family Support Services. The loss
of these funds will at the very least, result in the following:
• Reduction in services to adults for day programming
• Loss of jobs for tax paying citizens (this includes clients and staff)
• Reduction in support services for families
We are asking for your help in preventing the devastating impact these cuts will have on our clients, families and
community.
In addition, we need to request that DHS continue funding The Autism Program (TAP) of which ICA is a network
partner. ICA and the Foundation for Autism Services Today and Tomorrow (FASTT) which serves many of our
former students, receives funding thorough the TAP grant.
Sincerely,
| ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS Madison / Saint Clair County Representative Eddie Jackson 4700 State Street Suite 2 East St. Louis, IL 62201 Local #: 618-875-9550 Springfield #: 217-782-5951 bbsty2005@aol.com Representative Daniel Beiser 528 Henry Street Alton, Illinois 62022 Local #: 618-465-5900 Springfield #:217-782-5996 dvbeiser@sbcglobal.net Representative Thomas Holbrook 9200 West Main Suite 4 Belleville, IL 62223 Local #: 618-394-2211 Springfield #: 217-782-0104 jserra@hds.ilga.gov Senator James Clayborne 327 Missouri Avenue; Room 422 East St. Louis, IL 62201 Local #: 618-875-1212 Springfield #: 217-782-5399 jclayborne@senatedem.ilga.gov Senator Bill Haine 307 Henry Street; Suite 210 Alton, Illinois 62002 Local #: 618-465-4764 Springfield #: 217- 782-5247 senhaine@cbnstl.com Representative Jay C. Hoffman 126 Vandalia Suite 1 Collinsville, IL 62234 Local #: 618-345-2176 Springfield #: 217-782-8018 jayhoffman@charter.net Clinton County Senator John Jones 2929 Broadway Suite 5 Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 Local #: 618-242-9511 Springfield #: 217-782-0471 johnojones@sbcglobal.net Representative John Cavaletto 1370 W Main Street; Suite A P. O. Box 1264 Salem, IL 62881 Local #: 618-548-9080 john@johncavaletto.com Bond County Senator Kyle McCarter 101 South Main Street Decatur, IL 62523 Local #: 217-428-4068 Springfield #: 217-782-5755 mccarter51@att.net Representative Ron Stephens 112A Executive Drive Highland, Illinois 62249 Local #: 618-651-0405 Springfield #: 217-782-6401 ron@repstephens.com Jersey/Green/Calhoun/Macoup in Counties Representative Jim Watson 325 West State street Suite 102 P.O. box 160 Jacksonville, IL 62650 Local #: 217-782-1840 Springfield #: 217-243-6221 jimwatson@localnetco.com Representative Betsy Hannig 218 South Macoupin Street P.O. Box 8 Gillespie, IL 62033 Springfield #: 217-839-2859 creiddist@frontiernet.net Representative Dan Reitz 128 A West Main Sparta, IL 62286 Local #: 618-443-5757 Springfield #: 217-782-1018 repreitz@egyptian.net Representative David Reis 219 East Main P.O. Box 189 Olney, IL 62450 Local #: 618-392-0108 Springfield #: 217-782-2087 david@davidreis.org Senator Deanna Demuzio 140 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL 62626 Local #: 217-782-8206 Springfield #: 217-854-4441 sddemuzio@frontiernet.net Randolph/Monroe/Richland Counties Senator Dave Luechtefeld 700 North Front Street P.O. Box 517 Okawville, IL 62271 Local #: 618-243-9014 sendavel@midwest.net Other People to Write To: Governor Pat Quinn 207 Statehouse Springfield, Illinois 62706 Secretary Michelle Saddler Department of Human Services 100 S. Grand Avenue E., 3rd floor Springfield, IL 62762 Lilia Teninty, Director Division of Developmental Disabilities Centrum Building 319 E. Madison Springfield, IL 62701 |
