DUPAGE COUNTY OFFICIALS DERIDE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET CUTS

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett, DuPage County Public Defender Robert Miller and Karen Notko, Administrator for Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) joined forces today in expressing their disapproval of Governor Patrick Quinn’s proposed budget cuts to human services across the state and the effects those cuts would have on the criminal justice system. 

            “If these cuts were to take place it would be damaging to Illinois’ criminal justice system,” commented Birkett.  “Cutting funding to vital organizations such as TASC that provide crucial services for drug related offenses, would end up costing the state significantly more money in the long run.  The Governor’s penny-wise and pound-foolish budget proposals make absolutely no sense.  Currently, it costs Illinois taxpayers approximately $4,500 a year per individual for TASC and treatment.    When you compare this number to the more than $20,000 each year it costs taxpayers to incarcerate an offender, you can see that service organizations such as TASC actually save the taxpayer a significant amount of money every year.  Governor Quinn’s threats of balancing the State’s budget on the backs of organizations who provide essential services to those in need is reckless, irresponsible and is not governing, it is fear mongering.”

            In DuPage County there have been more than 160 drug-related deaths in the past three years – thirteen so far in 2009. 

            TASC is a not-for-profit organization that provides behavioral health recovery services for individuals with substance abuse and mental health disorders.  Through a specialized system of clinical case management, TASC initiates and motivates positive behavior change and long-term recovery for individuals in Illinois’ criminal justice, corrections, juvenile justice, child welfare and public aid systems. 

            “It is fiscally myopic to believe that cutting program funding such as TASC’s will in any way alleviate Illinois’ budget woes,” remarked DuPage County Public Defender Robert Miller.  “TASC programs actually save tax payer money, compared to incarceration. We will save a nickel in the short run, and then pay a quarter in the long run.”

            "The cuts to the Human Services budget undermine core processes and public safety and will cost both the state and counties more immediately--they absolutely must be reversed,” added Karen Notko.  “TASC saves money, reduces re-arrest and lays the foundation for positive and lasting change.”

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