McHenry Times

Senate Republicans have successfully persuaded the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to halt proposed budget cuts for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled (IDD) community. The Pritzker administration's plan to reduce funding would have resulted in 2.5 million fewer hours of care provided by Direct Support Professionals (DSP) in group homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This cut, amounting to nearly $90 million, would have affected 90% of all group home residents.

The proposal faced strong opposition from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with every member of the Senate Republican caucus signing a letter urging the Pritzker administration to abandon the cuts. The pushback also included letters and petitions from other legislators and providers.

In response to the bipartisan outcry, the Pritzker administration has confirmed that the cuts will be paused until at least the end of the fiscal year. However, Senator Craig Wilcox remains committed to ensuring that these cuts are permanently stopped.

"Just 1 1/2 More Weeks to Participate in Valentines for Seniors"

In other news, Senator Wilcox is reminding the community about the ongoing Valentines for Seniors initiative. The deadline for dropping off Valentines, which will be delivered to seniors in assisted living centers and nursing homes, is fast approaching. Senator Wilcox urges everyone to take a few minutes and make some Valentines to bring joy to seniors.

Valentines can be dropped off at Senator Wilcox's Woodstock office, located at 209 N. Benton Street, Woodstock, IL, 60098. The office is open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. For after-hours drop-offs, a container will be available outside the office. Valentines will be accepted until Wednesday, February 7.

"Discontinuation of Scholarship Program Pushing Private Schools to Close"

The discontinuation of the Invest in Kids scholarship program is having a significant impact on private schools in Illinois. Four schools, including Notre Dame Academy in Belleville, St. Odilo in Berwyn, St. Frances of Rome in Cicero, and St. Ann in Nashville, have recently announced their closure due in part to the loss of this scholarship program.

The Invest in Kids scholarship fund was created in 2017 to provide a choice for low-income families in struggling school districts. The program offered a 75% Illinois income tax credit on donations made to K-12 scholarships, which encouraged private donations. Since its inception, the program has provided more than 38,000 scholarships, totaling over $308 million in private donations.

Despite bipartisan support for extending the program, Democratic leadership refused to allow a vote on legislation to continue it. Senator Wilcox expressed his support for saving the program and will continue to advocate for new legislation to restart it, ensuring that students across the state have access to the education that best suits their needs.

"Illinois Journalism Task Force Seeks to Reverse Decline of Local News"

The decline of local news in Illinois is a growing concern. A state task force, composed of current and former journalists, legislators, and other appointees, has presented policy recommendations to address this issue. The task force found that more than a third of Illinois counties rely on a single news source, and the state has lost 232 newspapers and 85% of its newspaper journalists since 2005.

The recommendations include utilizing subscription, advertising, and payroll tax credits, as well as exploring the possibility of state-funded journalism scholarships. The full report from the Illinois Local Journalism Task Force can be accessed at the following link: [https://dceo.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dceo/events/local-journalism-task-force/local-journalism-task-force-final-report-january-2024.pdf](https://dceo.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dceo/events/local-journalism-task-force/local-journalism-task-force-final-report-january-2024.pdf)

"Task Force Looks to Highlight Underground Railroad History in Illinois"

The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force, established through Senate Bill 1623, is working to develop a comprehensive history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The task force, which includes members from the Illinois State Historical Society, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and several lawmakers, aims to create a cohesive statewide plan that connects existing local projects and develops new educational and tourism opportunities related to the Underground Railroad.

A report on the progress of the task force's work will be delivered to the Governor and General Assembly by July 1 of this year.

"Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grants Available"

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has allocated $6.4 million for Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants. These grants aim to support the middle sections of the food supply chain, specifically the processing, manufacturing, storing, and transporting of non-meat food.

The grants will assist smaller farms and ranches, new and beginning farmers and ranchers, underserved producers, veteran producers, and underserved communities. They can be used for purchasing equipment or expanding capacity and infrastructure. Applications for the RFSI grants will be available from January 22 to March 15. More information can be found at [https://agr.illinois.gov/assistance/illinoisfarmprograms/resilient-food-systems-infrastructure-program.html](https://agr.illinois.gov/assistance/illinoisfarmprograms/resilient-food-systems-infrastructure-program.html).

Overall, Senate Republicans have successfully advocated for the pause of budget cuts for the IDD community, while Senator Craig Wilcox continues his efforts to permanently halt these cuts. Additionally, Senator Wilcox encourages community participation in the Valentines for Seniors initiative and expresses his support for the Invest in Kids scholarship program. The decline of local news in Illinois is being addressed through policy recommendations from the Illinois Journalism Task Force. The Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force is working to highlight the state's rich history regarding the Underground Railroad. Lastly, the Illinois Department of Agriculture is providing Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure grants to support the middle sections of the food supply chain.