Autism Advocacy

 

 

 

Write Your Representative

 

 

 

You can find out who your representatives are at this website:

 

http://www.elections.illinois.gov/DistrictLocator/AddressSearch.aspx

 

 

Right now we are asking every one of you to write to your local representatives and tell them about your family.  Tell them what your life is like, living with someone on the Autism Spectrum.  Send a Holiday Card, with your family's picture on it.  Send a letter.  Tell them what you struggle with.  Tell them your goals.

 

The point is to make them aware.  To put yourself out there, as a real human being with real struggles.  Put a face to Autism.  Show them who you are, and show them your beautiful child, so that when Autism is being discussed, your face can come to mind.  Autism isn't something that happens in Hollywood movies or on Larry King Live.  It's something that affects people right here in Rockford.  It's something that affects the voters of Illinois. 

 

You don't have to be a professional writer.  Write as if you were writing to a distant family member, just to tell them what's going on in your corner of the world.  You don't need to complain and whine.  Just talk.  Tell them about yourself.  Tell them about your family.  Tell them about Autism.

 

YOU can make a difference! 

 

 

 


A Place for Children A Call For Action!
November 10, 2008


Greetings
This letter is written to request your support and assistance!


The State of Illinois is cheating children in need!
As of today, the State of Illinois is not paying family child care providers, early intervention practitioners or any other vendor of the Department of Human Services. Essentially, the state is bankrupt. How can this be? I pay my taxes. Don't you?

This lack of payment will result in day care providers closing their doors. Early Intervention Providers will stop working as independent consultants. Other social services, on which so many families have come to rely, will stop.

Please help me so that this does not happen. Help me advocate for the welfare of children-especially those children, and their families, for whom the world is already a challenge.

Don't let the services that children need end because our collective voice has not been heard. Email or call the Governor's office. Let him know that we expect the children of Illinois to come first. Let him know that we will not stand for the corruption that has led to our great State being in its current financial state. Help me as we fight for children!

Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244 or 312-814-2121
TTY: 888-261-3336
http://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactthegovernor.cfm

Sincerely,
.

Erin Austria, President
A Place for Children

 

 



 

 


Home and Community Services
SB 3022
Funding for home and community Services:
Senator Halvorson
Please go to www.familysupportnetwork.org For more information on this Bill

Quick links
To read Bills & Legislation visit
http://ilga.gov/legislation/
Search by number of the bill or keyword “Autism”

Legislator Lookup
Who is your elected official? Search by district, legislator, and address.
http://www.elections.il.gov/DISTRICTLOCATOR

 

 



Autism License Plates


We are still looking for people to email us if they are interested in the “Autism License Plate”
HB(P.A. 95-0226)
Proceeds will benefit an autism research fund established by a previous tax check off
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Plate No:
To:info@autismillinois.org
We need 850 requests…
 

 

 

 

Blue Print for System Redesign in Illinois:
 

7 year comprehensive action plan.
 

• Eliminates the wait list-support 2500 more individuals annually.
• Lowers the number of people living in institutions
• Bans the opening of group homes for more than 6 people
• Provides more necessary supports so those with developmental disabilities can stay in their communities near their loved ones
 

For more information visit:
www.state.il.us/agency/icdd

 

***************************************************

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Breaks for Special Needs Kids

Please follow the link and read the petition regarding tax breaks for families with special needs children, and sign if you support the idea.  Pass it along to anyone you think might be interested, whether they have special needs children or not. 

http://www.petitiononline.com/txbrk456/petition.html

 Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 
President Bush Announces FY 2009 Budget Priorities
Thursday, February 14, 2008
By: Carin Yavorcik



 

Plan proposes cuts to research and services

On Monday, February 4th, President Bush released his final proposed budget, laying out the Administration’s plans and priorities for FY 2009.

The president’s budget provides no new funding for the Combating Autism Act, and level-funds or cuts many important autism and disability-related programs. Specifically, the Administration’s budget provides only $16.1 million for the CDC’s autism program - a 0.5 percent cut from last year, and almost $2 million less than the amount recommended under the Combating Autism Act. The budget also provides no new increases for autism research at the National Institutes of Health or autism programs at the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration.

The proposed budget also calls for the elimination of the Supported Employment State Grant program, cuts funding for the Office of Disability and Employment Policy by more than half, reduces programs for supported housing for people with disabilities by 30 percent, and proposes more than $17.3 billion in cuts to Medicaid, most of which will be shifted to the states.

The president’s plan increases IDEA funding by $337 million; however, the proposed level of $11.3 billion is $10.2 billion short of the amount called for by the authorizing legislation enacted in 2004. The Institute of Education Sciences funding for special education studies and evaluations was cut from $11 million to $9 million.

The Administration’s budget is only the first step in the lengthy appropriations process, as Congress will respond with its draft of a budget highlighting its priorities. Furthermore, in this year of highly charged presidential politics, many of the more controversial proposals and reductions will fall by the wayside.

In light of the proposed budget, it is more important than ever that elected officials know that autism is a priority - both those running for and already in office. The Autism Society of America will be working to increase funding for many of these key programs, and to ensure that autism has a voice in Washington and beyond.

 

 

 

Autism Society of America

We’re confronting autism on three key areas in 2008

Dear Friends of ASA,

Just a year ago, America learned that one in every 150 American children has an autism spectrum disorder rates that have skyrocketed from a mere 5 years ago. Today our families need more support than ever to give their loved ones with autism the chance to fulfill their potential. And ASA is here to provide that crucial support as we have for over 40 years.

To that end, I want to share with you our goals and objectives for the Autism Society of America. In 2008, ASA is committed to deepening our efforts in the following areas:

·         Early Autism Diagnosis We are calling for routine autism screening in America for all children at 12, 18 and 24 months so that they can get appropriate treatments and support in the crucial early years

·         Treatment-Guided Research We need to translate information on treatments that work into a body of knowledge on practical, effective interventions that families can utilize today

·         Advocacy and Awareness We intend to put autism on the platform for the 2008 US Presidential and Congressional campaigns, starting with our Vote 4 Autism Today Initiative. You can download a PDF copy of our Questions for the Candidates by clicking here.

Support from friends like you has helped the Autism Society of America and its partner organizations in autism get the word out that while autism as a medical condition is growing, it is treatable. It is becoming widely acknowledged that with the right help, children with autism can attain amazing progress. This is a meaningful initial victory. Together, we can sustain and build upon this exciting momentum.

In the weeks and months to come, I will share with you further developments concerning each of the three key autism areas outlined above. I look forward to your input and support as we move forward in our vital mission to improve the quality of life for every American affected by autism, and their families.

Please support autism research,
care services and advocacy
Donate Button

 

Sincerely,

Lee Grossman
President and CEO
ASA Member since 1991
Parent of a son with autism

 

Voter Registration Information for Illinois

 


VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Registration is open year round except:
• During the 27-day period just prior to an election
• During the 2 days after such election (1 day after in Chicago)

QUALIFICATIONS

To register to vote in the State of Illinois an individual must meet the following qualifications
• Be a United States citizen
• Be at least 18 years old by election day
• Have lived in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to election day

OBTAINING A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM
Can register to vote in person or obtain a mail-in application from:
• County election office (contact information).
• Board of Election's office
• City and village offices
• Township offices
• Precinct Committeemen
• Some schools
• Some public libraries
• Some labor groups
• Some civic groups
• Some corporations
• Military recruitment offices

When applying for services at the following:
• Driver's License Facilities
• Department of Public Aid offices
• Department of Public Health offices
• Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities offices
• Department of Rehabilitation Services offices

Obtain an application for voter registration online:
English
Spanish

ILLINOIS ABSENTEE BALLOTS

Who Can Absentee Vote in Illinois?

Voters who meet one of the following criteria may vote by absentee ballot:
• Registered voters expecting to be absent from their county of residence on election day.
• Registered voters appointed to be judges of election in a precinct different from where they reside.
• Registered voters unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity.
• Registered voters observing a religious holiday and unable to be present at the polls because of the tenets of their religion.
• Registered voters who because of election duties in the office of a state's attorney, county clerk, a board of election commissioners or State Board of Elections will be unable to be present at the polls.
• Registered voters who are serving as sequestered jurors on a State or Federal jury only.
• Registered or non-registered members of the United States Armed Forces while on active duty, and members of the Merchant Marines, as well as their spouses and dependents who expect to be absent from their county of residence on election day.
• Registered or non-registered members of religious groups, welfare agencies as well as their spouses and dependents who are officially attached to or assisting members of the Armed Forces who expect to be absent from the county in which they reside on election day.
• State and Federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment, but who now reside elsewhere due to State or Federal employment.
• A registered citizen temporarily residing overseas may vote by absentee ballot.
• Any citizen residing outside of the country, not registered to vote but qualified to vote in a federal election, may vote by absentee ballot for federal offices only.

How Can I Acquire an Absentee Ballot?

Applications for absentee ballots are available, either by mail or in person, from your local elections office.

When the application is complete, it must either be mailed or delivered in person to your local elections office (contact information). If the application is mailed and it is properly completed, the election authority will mail an absentee ballot to the voter. If the application is returned in person or completed in the election authority's office, the voter may immediately vote his/her absentee ballot in the election authority's office.

Additional Information for Overseas Voters
 

More information on absentee voting procedures click here. 

How do I Return the Absentee Ballot and What is the Deadline?

Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, seal it, complete and sign the certification on the back and personally return it or mail it to your local elections office (contact information). (The absentee voter may authorize, in writing, a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, or licensed motor carrier, to deliver to the election authority the completed absentee ballot in sufficient time to be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.)

Source of information:
State Board of Elections
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone: 217-782-4141
TDD: 217-782-1518

http://www.elections.state.il.us/VotingInformation/welcome.aspx

 

 

 

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