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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

New Report On Potential Budget Cut Consequences

rampcil.org

A group of social service advocates is out with a report looking at how northern Illinois would be affected by Governor Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget cuts. The RAMP Center for Independent Living is one of the agencies involved in the Responsible Budget Coalition’s analysis. 

It’s not a direct budget cut for RAMP; it’s a proposal to reduce the number of clients served by its Home Services Program by making it more difficult to qualify.

Eric Brown, RAMP’s advocacy coordinator, said "people will have to make tough decisions: can I live in my community independently, or do I go into a nursing home, or depend more on my family?"

RAMP’s director Julie Bosma says any short term savings will be washed away in the long run: she says it costs four times more to move someone into a nursing home than it would to assist them at home. Plus, some clients will lose their jobs if they no longer qualify for help getting ready in the morning and at bed-time.

"Not only may it cost them their jobs, sometimes family members will give up their jobs to take care of family members," Bosma said.

RAMP’s clients are assessed by the state through a Determination of Need survey -- the higher the number, the more assistance they need to stay in their homes.

Currently, they qualify for help with a score of 29. The governor proposes raising that threshold to 37, which would kick about one-third out of the program.

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.
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