Letter to Membership

Dear CCDI Members,

On behalf of the CCDI Board of Directors and Staff we are informing the membership of significant changes to our organization effective July 1, 2009.

On June 12, 2009 CCDI received an email letter from Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) informing us that due to the General Assembly’s failure to approve the revenue plan proposed by Governor Quinn, they were eliminating the state portion of CCDI’s General Revenue Funding (GRF) in the amount of $112,600.

The CCDI Executive Committee has met twice and sent numerous emails to determine where these budget cuts could be realistically made and still maintain the obligations of our funders and members.

After many hours of discussion and problem solving a reduced FY2010 budget has been developed and approved that will begin implementation on July 1, 2009.

These cuts include the elimination of one CCDI staff position and cuts to the three remaining position salaries and benefits accordingly.

Every aspect of CCDI will be affected by these budget cuts including the annual conference and The Catalyst, which will now be available only electronically via email or on the website.

The State office will also now be closed on Fridays as a furlough day due to the budget cuts.

This reduced budget is really a “bare bones” budget that will ultimately change the way CCDI conducts advocacy statewide, but the organization will continue to provide the best limited services possible to its members and communities around the state.

We must band together again as a “Coalition” of Citizens with Disabilities, and rise to meet this challenge head on.

Yes cuts have occurred, but the heart and spirit of CCDI is strong and resilient and we will continue to move forward as always and only grow stronger as a result.

As members, you need to step up and advocate and educate your Governor, Legislators, community members, service providers, friends and family of the issues that are important to you.

We appreciate your patience through this difficult and challenging period of time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the state office at any time.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Donna Giles
Board President

Brendt Ramsey
Executive Director

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