tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32078264.post-86214354335343378422008-03-12T21:34:00.000-05:002008-03-12T21:34:00.000-05:002008-03-12T21:34:00.000-05:00The ironic part about this is that it costs the state significantly less to provide supports in the community than it does to institutionalize people (1/3- 1/2 the price by most estimations). The primary political roadblock of deinstitutionalization in Illinois is unions. AFSCME has a vested interest in the operation of institutions, and politicians know it.<BR/><BR/>If I know anything about Democrats, as a group, it is that they like to paint themselves as the champions of the underprivileged, they like unions, and they like to spend money. (Gross generalizations, I know, but at least somewhat true). I suppose Democrats in Illinois are likely to support institutions because they meet two of those three criteria: they cost a lot of money and they employ union workers. But many Democrats, and many Republicans alike, certainly cannot claim to be champions of the rights of people with disabilities in this state.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16764178844400895649noreply@blogger.com