By Brad Palmer
Marion, IL – SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT AGENCIES ARE URGING LEGISLATORS TO RESTORE THE CUTS MADE TO THEIR BUDGETS.
DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON AT ILLINOIS CENTRE MALL, FRANKLIN-WILLIAMSON HUMAN SERVICES C-E-O JOHN MARKLEY SAID THE GOVERNOR'S CUTS WOULD REDUCE THE BUDGET FOR HIS ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS BY ALMOST HALF AND DEVASTATE HIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS BY 85%.
MARKLEY SAYS THE GOVERNOR'S CUTS ARE A DOUBLE-BLOW BECAUSE THE STATE CUTS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR ALSO ELIMINATE FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS THESE AGENCIES DEPEND ON TO PROVIDE THEIR SERVICES.
WENDY BAILIE IS DIRECTOR OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES FOR FRANKLIN-WILLIAMSON HUMAN SERVICES. SHE SAYS THE CUTS WILL RESULT IN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE LOSING ACCESS TO HELP AND OTHERS LOSING THEIR JOBS.
MARION STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BRADLEY SAYS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED A $3 MILLION INCREASE FOR THESE PROGRAMS, BUT THE GOVERNOR CUT THEIR BUDGETS BY $43 MILLION.
BRADLEY SAYS THESE CUTS ARE ESPECIALLY HARMFUL BECAUSE THEY'RE AFFECTING EXISTING PROGRAMS.
HE SAYS RESTORING THESE FUNDS AND THE OTHERS SLASHED IN GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH'S ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLAR CUT WON'T BE EASY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO WIDESPREAD.
BRADLEY SAYS IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK BY HOUSE MEMBERS TO GAIN A CONSENSUS ON HOW TO RESTORE FUNDING. THE HOUSE RETURNS TO SPRINGFIELD FOR A SPECIAL SESSION STARTING TOMORROW.
