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
