An area program that cares for adults and children with disabilities is in jeopardy under Governor Bruce Rauner’s proposed funding cuts. That’s the message from EP!C CEO Kim Cornwell. She says Rauner halted funding for a $346,000 grant that provides temporary respite care:
“And even if the funding was put back into place within one, two, four months, a lot has happened during that period of time and a lot of people may have lost their placement and their jobs.”
Cornwell says 180 families each year use the program to provide emergency or time-sensitive care for those with developmental disabilities. She says the funding loss would force families to seek more expensive care options and likely impact EP!C’s 300 employees.
Cornwell also says that EP!C has been forced to absorb multiple state wage increases without new dollars budgeted to help financially support the programs.
Area lawmakers were also set to hear from families concerned about the funding cuts during an open forum event Wednesday evening.