Over 300 Illinoisans with disabilities went without the vital services of Northwestern Illinois Center for Independent Living after it temporarily closed on July 2 due to the state’s ongoing budget impasse.
“We have to tell people we can`t serve them,” said Michele Miller, executive director of NICIL. “We can`t incur or send in any expenses. As soon as the budget starts again, we can get back to work.”
The center, in operation for 30 years, provides advocacy, peer support, community reintegration, independent living skills and personal assistance. Their current contract with the state of Illinois ended on June 30. A new contract can’t start until a state budget is passed.
Democrats in the Illinois House endorsed a $2.3 billion stopgap budget plan in July, but Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner opposed the plan.
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