Fw: Arc Update and New LIFE Campaign Materials

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Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

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Arc Update and New LIFE Campaign Materials

The Arc of Illinois

May 1, 2011

Leaders in The Arc:

Wow! What a great convention! I really appreciate your continued support.

Well, it is back to the Capitol this week to fight the budget cuts to disability

services. It is another full with week with many LIFE Collation events planned

including Editorial Board visits, coffees with legislators and the premier of a

LIFE video on the budget cuts.

Over the weekend, we posted LIFE materials for your use including:

1.. Sample Letter to Legislators:

http://www.thearcofil.org/documents/documentdetails.asp?did=2780

2.. Sample Letter to the Editor:

http://www.thearcofil.org/documents/documentdetails.asp?did=2782

3.. Sample Letter to Governor Quinn:

http://www.thearcofil.org/documents/documentdetails.asp?did=2781

4.. All LIFE Materials Including Budget Cuts Fact Sheets:

http://www.thearcofil.org/lifematerials/index.asp

5.. A Spanish Video: No Corten Mi Servicos :

Use these materials to fight the budget cuts to disability services and share

them with other advocates!

Story on state wage increases follows from the Pantagraph in Bloomington.

Tony auski

The Arc of Illinois

815-464-1832

State lawmakers want AFSCME to renegotiate again

Kurt kson | kurt.erickson@... | Posted: Thursday, April 28, 2011 4:30

pm

http://www.pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois/article_cfcd4798-71de\

-11e0-9155-001cc4c002e0.html

SPRINGFIELD - Some Illinois lawmakers are again looking at the paychecks of

unionized state workers to help balance the budget.

In a hearing Thursday, Democrat and Republican members of the House said Gov.

Pat Quinn should begin prodding the state's largest employee union to again

reopen its contract in search of additional savings.

The alternative, said members of a House appropriations panel, are deep cuts to

human service programs.

" We need to solve this situation right now, " said state Rep. Mussman,

D-Schaumburg. " What can we do to be able to open this conversation again? "

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, which

represents thousands of state employees, panned the idea.

" Irresponsible politicians caused the state's budget problems, and working

people shouldn't be punished for them, " AFSCME spokesman Anders ll said in

a prepared statement.

AFSCME members last year agreed to defer part of their scheduled pay increase

until February 2012 to help get the state through tough financial times. The

move saved an estimated $30 million.

The union also has worked with the Quinn administration to reduce health care

costs and union members have saved state dollars by taking voluntary furlough

days. In addition, state workers hired after Jan. 1 receive reduced pension

benefits.

The current union contract expires in July 2012, meaning negotiations for the

new contract will begin in about six months.

But, faced with another year of tight finances, lawmakers want AFSCME to return

to the bargaining table again, possibly to further defer their upcoming raises.

The House and Senate are trying to get a spending plan in place by May 31.

" As Elvis said, `It's now or never,' " said state Rep. Sara enholtz,

D-Chicago. " There will be shared sacrifice across the board. "

ll said the legislature should look elsewhere.

" It's wrong for politicians to demand unequal sacrifice from disability

caregivers, child protection workers, correctional officers and other state

employees who provide health care, human services and public safety across

Illinois, " he noted.

The increases due in the fiscal year beginning July 1 amount to 5.25 percent.

But because the increase was deferred until the second half of the fiscal year,

AFSCME said the actual monetary increase will be 3.5 percent.

Top Quinn brass urged lawmakers to find other ways to balance the budget.

Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Saddler told members of

the committee that additional reductions sought by lawmakers would amount to a

more than 20 percent cut from this fiscal year to next. That funding level, she

said, could " cripple " programs and endanger lives.

" We ask you, to whatever extent possible, to

Fward off any additional cuts, " Saddler told the panel.

State Rep. Ron s, R-Greenville, said the committee sent a clear message

to Quinn and AFSCME.

" It's pretty hard to box with your hands tied behind your back, " s said.

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