Rally for Social Services in Illinois

Tracy and I had the privilege of attending the social services rally in the Thompson Center last Thursday with thousands of other people affected by poor legistlation. Tracy recently lost her job as an adoption preservationist due to budget cuts across the state of Illinois. This is a terrible loss for her but more importantly it represents a loss for many low-income families who will no longer receive critical mental health services. Below are interesting statistics as well as some of my favorite pictures from the rally.

It is estimated that this cut in services will affect 16,000 children and 40, 000 families state wide. A total of $460 million will be cut from the state budget with 90% of the cuts being made in social services.

Cuts among the DCFS workforce will result in caseloads of 15 children per caseworker increasing to 50 children per case load. Causing inadequate care and and an increase in unfounded and unaddressed calls.


Among the services cut will be adoptions, daycare, after-school tutoring and pregnancy and teen-parenting services. Some of the most critical to at-risk populations.

Take the time to contact your elected representatives asking them to fund HHS programs at 100%.

Farewell Wachendorfs!

Our best friends are moving to Evanston today. They live behind us now and we've spent three years running back and forth from apartments. Big changes ahead. Best of luck Adam, Carrie and Anna. We love you guys!

A Glimpse of Spring

Could it be, winter in Chicago is behind us? Yesterday, was a lovely warm 65 degree day. I sat in a bar with dear friends, windows open enjoying a beer, donning sandals and a short sleeve shirt. It's hard to believe Chicago weather can go from the depths of winter to the warm relaxing days of Spring. Just a month ago, I took this picture of the icicles on our back deck, it was a cold, long winter. The icicles are gone and in a few months will be replaced with inviting window boxes, where we will enjoy long summer nights with wine, good food, and friends, encased in the warmth of summer.