Holmes opposes cutting aid to families with children with disabilities

• FY 2016 Budget Proposal
• Association for Individual Development,
• AID,
• Lynn O'Shea,
• respite care
• Aurora,

AURORA — Parents who care for children with disabilities shouldn’t be forced to consider moving them to residential care at devastating expense, State Sen. Linda Holmes argued, alongside families who might be affected by a proposed cut in Gov. Bruce Rauner’s FY 2016 budget.

“They send someone to help when I don’t have anybody,” said Joan Chioles, 83, whose son, 46-year-old James, has developmental disabilities and lives at home through help from the Aurora-based Association for Individual Development (AID). “I wish [Gov. Rauner would] come here and see what’s going on. It would be nice if he could come over here and visit some of these schools and these facilities.”

Lynn O’Shea, president of AID, said about 100 families who receive services from her organization could be similarly affected. For adults with disabilities who have aging parents, the only recourse may be residential placement that can cost families at least $50,000 and the state upwards of $35,000 per person, O’Shea said.

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Holmes responds to Senate Bill 1 court ruling

AURORA – State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) released the following statement following a trial court ruling that found Senate Bill 1 unconstitutional:

“I was a staunch and outspoken opponent of Senate Bill 1 feeling it was fundamentally flawed and blatantly unconstitutional. Today, the courts have ruled that Senate Bill 1 is indeed unconstitutional. As we respond to this finding, I will continue to stand up for our hardworking teachers and the public employees who have worked their entire lives serving the people of Illinois.”