SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Governor J.B. Pritzker has decided against cutting back on the state’s funding for the developmentally disabled. The move was criticized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
A spokesperson for the Pritzker administration confirmed the cuts will not go into effect this fiscal year. The state already delayed the implementation of the cuts multiple times. The current fiscal year will end on July 1st.
WCIA reported last week several service providers in Illinois were preparing for an 8.7% reduction in hours covered by the state at the start of April. IDHS said in a presentation last year that approximately 90% of patients will see a reduction of hours in care due to the cuts.
State to make cuts to care for developmentally disabled in Illinois
Republican Senator Chapin Rose wrote to the governor asking for the state to prioritize funding for the developmentally disabled.
“These cuts would have been devastating to our state’s most vulnerable population, the developmentally disabled,” Rose (R-Mahomet) said. “Thankfully, there was swift and fierce bipartisan pushback to these cuts, and we were able to get the Pritzker Administration to institute a temporary halt, which is a good first step in the right direction.”