Projects and News

Macon Resources ACTION ALERT

June 16, 2009

Illinois has hit rock bottom financially.  As a consequence, Macon Resources faces the coming fiscal year with the prospect of cutting essential services. We have received notice from the Division of Developmental Disabilities that they are eliminating our grant funded programs: Kid's Connection, Adult Outreach, Regular Work Program, and Illinois Voices. The State will cut funding to these programs by $880,000. This past year the State had already cut these programs by $54,000. We will not be able to offer these services any longer effective July 1, 2009. Furthermore, the State also proposes to cut rates by 20-30% for Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA), Developmental Training, and Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled. This action will force us to reduce services even further. 

I had hoped we would never see the day when we had to stop serving people. It is obvious our State does not value our most vulnerable citizens and considers them expendable or pawns in a political game. We can only stop these program closures by restoring the necessary funding and ensuring that disability services are funded at adequate levels in the future. Please contact your Governor, Senators, Representatives, and Legislative Leaders to express your concerns.

Dreux Lewandowski, Executive Director

(217) 875-1910

Governor Pat Quinn:  207 Statehouse, Springfield, IL 62706

(217) 782-0244

Contact form at: www.illinois.gov/GOV/contactthegovernor.cfm

Senator Kyle McCarter (R), 51st District: 101 South Main Street, Decatur 62523

(217) 428-4068

Representative Rober Flider (D), 101st District: 132 South Water, Suite 101, Decatur 62523

(217) 428-2708

Representative Bill Mitchell (R), 87th District: 332 W. Marion, Suite N-1, Forsyth 62535

(217) 876-1968

Senator John Cullerton (D), President of the Senate: 1051 West Belmont, Chicago 60657

(773) 883-0770

327 Capitol Building, Springfield 62706

(217) 782-2728

Senator Michael Madigan (D), Speaker of the House: 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago 60629

(773) 581-8000

300 Capitol Building, Springfield 62706

(217) 782-5350

Freedom Quest '09

June 01, 2009

On May 19, 20, and 21, history was made in Illinois.

Freedom Quest '09 brought together over 100 riders with developmental disabilities who journeyed across the state in a civil rights movement; 12 communities held rallies and community awareness events; MANY disability organizations joined hands at the State Capitol; and thousands spoke out - clearly our voices were heard.

Check out the Freedom Quest blog at http://illinoisfreedomquest09.blogspot.com

America book receives IPPY Award

May 26, 2009

One of the products Blue Tower carries, America according to Connor Gifford by Connor Gifford and Victoria Harris, wins Independent Publishers IPPY Award as one of the "Outstanding Books of the Year." It received the Independent Spirit Gold Medal for being the book judged "most unique and heartfelt." The IPPY Awards contest is among the largest and most recognized book awards events in the world, and all independent, university, small press, and self-publishers who produce books written in English are eligible.  The "Outstanding Books of 2009" are special awards that recognize the daring spirit of independent authors and publishers who exhibit the courage and creativity necessary to take chances, break new ground, and bring about change, not only to the world of publishing, but to our society.  Order your copy of America through Blue Tower today! Go to our Online Store.

Blue Tower Training offers bi-monthly newsletter

March 16, 2009

Blue Tower Training offers a bi-monthly newsletter, The Training Times.  The goals of bringing you The Training Times are:

  • Networking with other trainers
  • Highlighting training ideas and techniques that will enhance the training program at your agency
  • Sharing programs that may be useful in your training program
  • Providing a clearinghouse of ideas, products and programs
  • Exchanging ideas with other training coordinators throughout Illinois and the rest of the country

Sign up to receive Blue Tower Training's Training Times!  Email krescenebeck@gmail.com and include "BTT Training Times Sign Up" in the subject line.

Download past issues of The Training Times here: Training Times March April 09.pdf

 

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“Illinois Voices has allowed me to meet new people. I’ve also been able to take charge of my life and be a role model for those people who have trouble speaking up for what they want in front of people. I’ve traveled to different places to do workshops and am blessed and happy to help people by showing them what people with disabilities can do.”

Erica Jones
Trainer, Braille translator, self-advocate

Contact Us

Blue Tower Training
2121 Hubbard Ave.
PO Box 2760
Decatur, IL 62524
217-875-8890
E-mail: SPaceley@maconresources.org