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%.