20-05-2025
Illinois budget cuts could reduce jobs, services for intellectually disabled in Rockford
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — State budget cuts are set to impact Rockford's Goldie B. Floberg Center, which provides housing and support for children, teens, and adults with intellectual developmental disabilities.
The organization employs 125 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), whose positions may be at risk.
CEO John Pingo said the Goldie Floberg Center relies on state funding to pay DSPs to provide care to the disabled.
'When you look at the amount of funding being offered for the pay increase, that's $20 million. And then you look at the amount of the cut from the DSP service hours being cut, that's $32 million. That amounts to 430 lost Direct Support Professional positions,' he said.
Government funding for DSPs is allocated by service hours, meaning a cut in hours results in a cut in funding.
Pingo estimated the nonprofit could lose almost $150,000 from its budget.
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) said Illinois lawmakers are aware of the concerns.
'There may be cuts, but it may not affect this program,' he said. 'So, I think a lot of the lawmakers, including myself, want to make sure those hours are maintained and there are not cuts to services to a vulnerable population. I think one way or another will make sure that those services stay in place.'
Pingo encouraged residents to voice their support for the center.
'Give them the simple message of: please do not cut Direct Support Professional service hours. It was only through aggressive advocacy from our community that stopped the hours from being cut last year. And it will only be through advocacy from our community that will stop it this year,' he said.
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