Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Thursday that restoring $175.9 million in funding for substance abuse centers was needed.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Thursday that restoring $175.9 million in funding for substance abuse centers was needed. “On Tuesday, I announced a plan to manage the states $2 billion budget shortfall. And while difficult decisions still need to be made, we also need to ensure that we continue to provide core services to Illinoisans, and that includes funding for substance abuse addiction treatment,” Blagojevich said. And now with the governor’s action, organizations that offer substance abuse treatment like Women In Progress Inc. on the South Side, can apply for grants to help their clients. “With the economy the way it is, finding grants for substance abuse treatment is hard,” said Tanya DePeiza, founder and executive director of WIP, a non-profit agency that provides supportive services to formerly incarcerated women. “I just hope funding is increased next fiscal year so there will be more money to go around especially for the Black community.” Earlier this week, the governor announced a four-part plan to manage the state’s $2 billion 2009 budget deficit. The proposed plan includes passage of the Emergency Budget Act, which would give Blagojevich and other constitutional officers added authority to help them make additional cuts, a request to Congress for increased federal stimulus aid, and further administrative reductions in the agencies. ______ Copyright 2008 Chicago Defender. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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