Update: September 24, 2008
I received this letter from the Honorable Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross. See: "Governor Blagojevich and the Illinois Legislature Opens the Door to its Constituents to suffer Substance Abuse and Crime in their Communities", posted September 7, 2008 on this blog.
TOM CROSS
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
ILLINOIS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SPRINGFIELD OFFICE:
316 STATE HOUSE
SPRINGFIELD, IL 62706
(217) 782-1331
DISTRICT OFFICE:
24047 W. LOCKPORT, SUITE 213
PLAINFIELD, IL 60544
(815) 254-0000
September 17, 2008
Fred Nance Jr.
C.L.I.C.K. Services, NFP
Dear Mr. Nance:
Thank you for your recent correspondence concerning the FY09 Budget and funding reductions for alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Your personal history highlights the life changing impact that treatment services can have for individuals struggling with alcohol and substance abuse.
The FY09 Budget passed to the governor contained appropriation authority for the expansion of many worthwhile state programs, including an expansion of alcohol and substance abuse treatment. Unfortunately, the budget framework overspent expected revenue by an estimated $2 billion. At the time the budget passed, the Democrat leadership in the House admitted that the budget was out of balance and would require action by the governor to bring spending in line with revenue. Accordingly, the governor acted to reduce appropriations by $1.4 billion. There is no doubt that the governor’s vetoes targeted certain budget lines, particularly addiction treatment, in a heavy handed manner. Nonetheless, the root of this problem lies in the unconstitutional budget pushed through by the Democrat House and Senate.
House Republicans initiated legislation. in the form of HB 6881 (Rose). to reprioritize spending throughout state government to restore DASA funding for the 2008 calendar year. Additionally, the House of Representatives recently took action to restore DASA funding with the passage of SB 1103, which provides supplemental appropriation authority for the remainder of the FY09 Budget year. These provisions received my support in the House, passing by a vote of 113-0-0. It is my hope that the Senate will meet in a timely fashion to give consideration to these provisions. Failure to enact the provisions promptly endangers treatment services in all regions of the state and places additional pressures on an already overburdened criminal justice system. Once again, thank you for your correspondence and your work to help those in need of alcohol and substance abuse treatment.
