Advocates Close Capitol

Advocates Close Capitol Thousands of advocates from across the state descended on State Capitol grounds on Tuesday, June 23 to rally for a resolution to the state budget crisis.

At risk are services that many Illinois citizens including children, seniors, individuals with low income and people with disabilities could not continue to live independently without.

Cuts range from 40% to 100% in human services, which provides vital services every day to thousands of Illinois citizens with disabilities.

This proposed budget with these cuts included is being stamped the “doomsday” budget because it affects so many people adversely including Illinois citizens with disabilities.

The protest was designed to put pressure on legislators to resolve the budget impasse.

Advocates have been calling, emailing, faxing, and meeting with legislators in an effort to persuade them to do the right thing and “fix the budget” without cutting vital human service programs.

The rally drew over 5,000 people, including Governor Quinn, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

The Illinois State Capitol was closed for the first time in its history when police stopped letting people into the Capitol due to crowd safety concerns.

Throughout the state, other rallies have been taking place in support of a humane budget.

Beyond the numbers and the media exposure, the real outcome will be if the human service cuts are restored or at least delayed until negotiated agreements on the budget are arrived at.

As of July 1, Illinois started its 2010 budget year with no spending plan in place.

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