Elimination DHS Division of Community Health and Prevention

The Governor's Budget will Eliminate DHS Division of Community Health and Prevention
During the March 3rd Illinois Human Services Appropriations Committee meeting, DHS officials were charged with cutting and consolidating programs. DHS should study the programs it offers and find ways to consolidate was the cry from Rep. Lisa Dugan, a Democrat from Kankakee. "I just want to make sure that as we look at this list [of programs], as you guys look at the way money is spent...whether it may be in your agency or, again, in conjunction with the others...that we see whether or not we're spending money for the same thing in all different areas. Why can't we just pull it together?" In response, DHS Secretary Michelle Saddler stated, "In the Department of Human Services...this has been a time of real economic downturn. While we look for savings throughout the year, and have made cuts throughout the year, there's been an increase in demand for services, as you might expect during an economic downturn." The Governor, in his budget, proposed drastic cuts to community prevention programs eliminating the Division of Community Health and Prevention (DCHP). The Illinois Human Services Commission is currently examining which DCHP programs should be cut, consolidated, and/or transitioned to other state agencies. For more information about the Illinois Human Services Commission, click here. For more information about Illinois Budget cuts, click here .