Budget cuts impact area children

Connie Doran of Freedom House takes her turn at the podium at Friday's press conference while Don Miskowiec (from left) of North Central Behavioral Health Systems, Jim Monterastelli of Horizon House, Doug McClure of Youth Service Bureau and Sen. Gary Dahl wait their turns to speak. (BCR photo/Barb Kromphardt)

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PERU — Sen. Gary Dahl, R-Granville, was an angry man at the press conference held at the Peru Airport Friday.

"We’ve got an administration that is run on the assumption that it’s all about kids, all about families, all about taking care of people,” he said. “And then we get down to the actual kids, and we don’t seem to give a damn. It bothers me greatly that we’re playing Russian roulette with the kids.”

Dahl joined representatives of eight area service agencies to discuss the $1,131,500 in budget cuts Gov. Rod Blagojevich has proposed for their agencies.

One of the speakers was Connie Doran of Freedom House in Princeton, who said her agency is already feeling the cuts, which amount to $25,834.

Doran said the cuts were in grants that provide children and teen services, especially therapy for children who were victims of domestic violence.

Dave McClure of the Youth Service Bureau said the cuts were not made across the board.

“They seem targeted to cause pain,” he said.

McClure said his greatest cut is in a program designed to keep foster kids in their current foster homes, which has been a goal of child welfare for 20 years.

Bureau County Sheriff John Thompson also spoke, calling the agencies the support structure for the community. Thompson said his department is at the bottom of the structure.

“If something falls through and falls through and falls through because of lack of funding, ultimately they’re going to end up in my jail,” he said. “It will ultimately cost this community dearly.”

Jeff Dean of Gateway Services in Princeton said the cuts would mean a loss of $145,000 for Gateway and the local transportation system.

“What we will have to do is take a very close look at the programs and services that are offered to individuals and reduce or eliminate the extra activities,” he said. “There are only so many lights we can shut off.”

The Illinois House voted to restore the cuts on Thursday, but the Senate also needs to restore the cuts and the governor will need to sign any legislation. Dahl said Senate President Emil Jones said the Senate would not be called back before November, so he urged everyone to speak up immediately in protest.

Sen. Gary Dahl asked residents to call government officials at the following numbers:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich - (217) 782-6830, Springfield; (312) 814-2121, Chicago.

Sen. Emil Jones - (217) 782-2728, Springfield; (773) 995-7748, district.

Rep. Debbie Halvorson - (217) 782-7419; (708) 756-0882, district.