Story Published:
Aug 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 25, 2008 at 7:44 PM CST
Dozens of health-care workers are unemployed this week--that after Governor Blagojevich cut funding for substance abuse programs statewide.
That affects schools, for example, in McLean County.
The Governor cut 55 million dollars from state drug and alcohol treatment facilities, and local agencies say the repercussions will be hazardous.
The Bloomington-based Chestnut Health Systems operates intervention programs for substance abuse prevention.
Last year the organization serviced 35 schools, but state funding cuts reduced that number to seven.
"It's a sad commentary on the state's priorities, it's a sad commentary for the clients who will not get services, and it's certainly a sad commentary for the 13 people who will not have jobs" said Chief Operating Officer, Alan Sender.
Sender says the Chestnut's workers brought about a significant decrease in poor behavior, alcohol and drug use in students.
He is hoping the Illinois General Assembly will restore some of the Governor's budget cuts in the fall veto session...
Meanwhile, many of the schools that lost the program are looking to other organizations for guidance counselors and social workers.
Thursday, Aug 28 at 8:30 PM BEK wrote ...
THAT DOES NOT SUPRISE ME..WHY DONT THESE LAW MAKERS TAKE A PAY CUT INSTEAD OF OUR CHILDREN HAVING TO DO WITHOUT???????? ANY ANSWERS LAW MAKERS AND SENATORS? OBAMA IS TOO BUSY TO HELP OUT HERE..BLAGOJEVICH DOES NOT HELP OUT AT ALL...