AARP Set to Fight Cuts Affecting Older Illinoisans
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from AARP Illinois Senior State Director Bob Gallo:
Illinois' deep fiscal woes led Governor Quinn to announce today spending cuts of $1.4 billion for Fiscal Year 2011, as well as the potential for further budget cuts that will be discussed with state agencies on a case-by-case basis. AARP, on behalf of its 1.7 Illinois members, believes that today's announcement leaves many questions unanswered regarding cuts to vulnerable populations, the state's growing debt to providers, and the changes Illinois needs to make in order to avoid future budget shortfalls.
The Governor's "day-by-day, case-by-case" spending plan is one more consequence of years of fiscal neglect in Illinois that have left the state with the second worst budget deficit in the nation. Illinois is still far from developing budgets that reflect the needs and wants of its citizens.
Although the new special authority granted by the General Assembly to the Governor would help the state better manage its limited resources, AARP is specially concerned about any exercise of this authority that results in future cuts to vulnerable populations that depend on state programs and services. AARP will fight any cuts that affect older Illinoisans and the services they receive to remain independent in their own communities.
The Governor allocated $325 million of the general lump sum to the Community Care Program – an essential program allowing thousands of older citizens to remain in their own homes and communities and avoid costly institutional care. The Governor also committed to develop unified budgeting for long term care services in order to increase the delivery of services to seniors in their own homes. AARP hopes that this commitment is met, and will fight to ensure resources for community-based living remain intact.
AARP is also concerned about the state's ability to pay the billions of dollars it owes to social service agencies, many of which are on the brink of closing their doors, laying their workers off or leaving thousands of individuals and families without the programs and services they need.
As the Fiscal Year 2011 budget heavily relies on borrowing and fund raids, the long-term picture of the state remains unchanged -- Illinois is facing another budget deficit at the end of the fiscal year. Today's plan has yet to address the need for the new and fair revenue Illinois needs to serve its citizens, pay its bills, solve its pension crisis, and promote economic growth.
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SOURCE AARP Illinois
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