Governor eliminates vital funding for children with disabilities

CHICAGO (March 24, 2004) – Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s budget for fiscal year 2005 slashes funding for Lekotek, a statewide organization that provides much-needed services to children with disabilities. Lekotek serves several thousand children and their families across Illinois through a wide range of support services. Lekotek maximizes the development and future independence of children with disabilities by helping them gain new skills – practically from birth. Because of Gov. Blagojevich’s $600,000 cut, children in rural and urban areas across the state may lose the opportunity to develop the critical mathematical, literacy and language skills that Lekotek facilitates. Lekotek believes that all children should have the opportunity to succeed in school – whatever their abilities.

“One of the first services my son, Martin who is severely and multiply disabled, started receiving that was not medical in nature, was Lekotek,” says Donna Harnett, a Lekotek parent and mother of four.

“Lekotek is not just about toys. It is about giving children an opportunity to learn and reach their highest potential. It is about supporting entire families. It is about giving families the belief that there is hope.”

The drastic funding cut overtly contradicts Gov. Blagojevich’s statements during his Feb. 18 budget address. While pledging millions of dollars to education, the development of thousands of children now is being impeded. While vowing to pay for “essential services,” a crucial program for working-class families is about to disappear. Unfortunately, the elimination of Lekotek continues Illinois ’ dubious legacy of overlooking its most vulnerable citizens. Illinois ranks 47 th in the United States in funding community services for people with disabilities.

Lekotek is an innovative, one-of-a-kind program in Illinois that provides families the tools to help their children grow and learn while being included in regular family and community life. Services also include lending libraries of adapted play materials and computer equipment that extend education to the home for children with all types of disabilities. Lekotek provides support services to schools, early intervention and early childhood and recreational programs. The first American Lekotek, fashioned after a Swedish program, opened its doors in Evanston in 1980.

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The mission of the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center is to assist people with disabilities to live and work successfully in the community. Anixter Center is a leading provider of high-quality vocational, residential and educational options, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and health care. Anixter Center is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to be full and equal members of the community.