dept of justice call for investigation

[Guest guest]

I had posted earlier Kim Zoeller, ceo of RG had some very strong points

at the TPC meeting yesterday.She followed up with a template of a letter

we are encouraged to consider sending to the Department of justice.

she and other community providers have written letters to the Department of

Justice asking for an investigation on how the Governor's budget violates

the ADA and the Supreme Court Olmstead decision. These drastic proposed

cuts will seriously limit access to community integrated least restrictive

settings. You are forwarding a sample letter that you urge families and

advocates to send to the Department of Justice.

I WILL CUT AND PASTE IT TO THIS E MAIL. HOPE IT WORKS FOR THOSE OF YOU

INTERESTED IN SENDING OFF SUCH A LETTER.

April 14, 2011

Mr. E.

Assistant Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

Civil Rights Division

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Mr. ,

I am writing to you on behalf of the more than 20,000 people with

intellectual and developmental disabilities in Illinois waiting for

community based services. Nearly 14,000 of these individuals are in or

nearing a crisis situation. I am requesting that the United States

Department of Justice investigate Governor Quinn and the State of Illinois

for denying people with intellectual and developmental disabilities their

civil rights, as guaranteed by the American's with Disabilities Act.

Further, actions by the State are contrary to the Supreme Court in Olmstead

v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999) that holds the right to live in the community

rather than in large segregated institutions.

The State of Illinois is positioning its nine state-run segregated

institutions as the only option for people with intellectual and

developmental disabilities. As only one example, the Governor negotiated a

labor agreement to not reduce the workforce in these settings and gave

significant pay increases, while making draconian cuts to community services

that offer least restrictive and integrated options. Providers of community

services may no longer exist, all the while forcing families into a

residential placement. When Illinois officials have been asked how they can

uphold the ADA and the Supreme Courts Olmstead decision, they simply cannot

or will not answer.

Illinois institutions have a history of providing negligent and abusive

treatment, as outlined by your own report regarding Howe Developmental

Center. I urge you to step up and help the cruel and unfair treatment in

Illinois and require that Illinois act in accordance to the ADA and

Olmstead.

PUT A PERSONAL MESSAGE HERE.. AS A PARENT, I .. PROVIDE YOUR CONTACT

INFORMATION.

Best regards,

YOUR NAME