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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION REGARDING "GOOD FRIDAY" SUSPENSIONS OF FUNDS BY GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER
WHEREAS, more than two million people live with an autism spectrum disorder in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois provided funding to assist people living on the autism spectrum through the Illinois Autism Project and other programs; and
WHEREAS, Governor Bruce Rauner made the unilateral decision to cut funding for this important program, announcing it on World Autism Day; and
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has worked diligently to be the most welcoming state in the nation for New Americans; and
WHEREAS, immigrants from throughout the world come to Illinois and Cook County to build a new life; and
WHEREAS, the state invested in immigrant integration, to make sure immigrants are able to seamlessly apply for citizenship and learn English as a second language; and,
WHEREAS, Governor Bruce Rauner made the unilateral decision to cut funding for this important program; and
WHEREAS, Governor Bruce Rauner also decided to cut funding for indigent burials and funerals, which disproportionately affects Cook County and the disadvantaged, and is a public health risk; and,
WHEREAS, these cuts, which are being termed the "Good Friday cuts" due to their Good Friday announcement, totaled approximately $26 million out of a multibillion dollar state budget; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has the duty and constitutional obligation to provide for the "health, safety, and welfare of the people"; and,
WHEREAS, these programs are NOT unessential;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners do ask and implore the General Assembly to restore the $26 million cut as a part of the "Good Friday cuts" to their full levels and work to ensure this does not happen again.
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