Lake County News-Sun - July 17, 2015 | Original article

by Yadira Sanchez Olson

Dortha and Estern Rivers' days for the past 21 years have been filled with songs, games and nap times.

In their Rivers Home Daycare in Zion, the couple cares for kids ages 1 to 6 while their parents are at work or school. Now, because of uncertainty over state funding, the Rivers are facing tough choices when it comes to their business and their livelihood.

The couple say they may have to say good-bye to families whose little ones they've cared for since birth, like Jasmine Williams' 2-year-old son Cameron.

Williams depends on the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides parents with subsidies for some or all of their day care costs.

The state-funded program has been in jeopardy of losing funding since the last fiscal year when it was deemed underfunded by $300 million, said Maria Whelan, president of the Illinois Action for Children.

"We're looking at $177 million in cuts," Whelan said.

The overall budget cut to CCAP includes three key elements: the elimination of care for children ages 6 and older; no future funding for relatives who stay home to watch children; and an increase in parent co-pays, Whelan said.

Illinois lawmakers have been unable to agree on a state spending plan for the fiscal year that started July 1, and it's uncertain if or when a new state budget will be in place. Providers will be paid for the month of June, but state funding beyond that is unclear.

Until lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner can agree on a budget that funds the program, 612 Lake County home day care providers, like the Rivers, will have to wait and see wether they will receive payments from the state this month. In Illinois about 32,000 day care providers would be affected by the cuts, Whelan said.

For the Rivers that could mean that more than 50 percent of their monthly income would be shorted, since only 3 out of the 10 children they care for are not in the child care assistance program.

Although Dortha said she wouldn't close the day care to the three families who don't depend on CCAP, she's not sure whether she'll continue to work with the families who can't afford to pay.

Williams said her toddler, Cameron, would miss out on being with the people he's known all of his life.

"I wouldn't know who to take my son to while I work," Williams said. "I need to work to pay my bills."

Dortha's not ready to give up yet.

In hopes of sending a message to legislators and to the governor about the importance of maintaining CCAP funding, the Rivers recently welcomed state Rep. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, to their home.

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Looking for work? Bring your resume to a job fair in Round Lake, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Join us at Magee Middle School, 500 N. Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake from 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The first hour will cater specially to veterans.

Lake County News-Sun - July 13, 2015 | Original article

By Dan Moran

In a ceremony that saw traffic on the busy roadway slowing down to pass just feet from the gathering near John Mogg Drive, Joey Dimock was remembered as a fun-loving boy who grew into a focused and accomplished young man.

"Spc. Dimock was not only an American hero, but he was dedicated to his faith and his community. Joey's service to the Wildwood Presbyterian Church was admirable for such a young man," said John Christian, chief of the Grayslake Fire Protection District, who has known Ellen Dimock and her family since she joined the district's board of trustees in 1999.

"I can say without any doubt that Joey was a well-rounded young man that left us way too early in life. I am still in awe of all that he accomplished in his short life," added Christian, noting that Dimock became an Eagle Scout with Wildwood-based Boy Scout Troop 672, graduated from Army Ranger school and served three tours in Afghanistan.

Dimock has been honored previously in the area with the naming of an exercise facility at Grayslake Fire Station 3 in 2010 and the dedication of a memorial at Wildwood's Willow Point Beach in October 2011. Ellen Dimock said Friday's honor was the result of a 2014 chance meeting with state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, and a discussion about what could be done to commemorate his life.

"The first time I met (Bush), she asked me if there was anything that I needed or wanted," Dimock said. "I said, 'Yes. It might sound a little strange, but I would love to name just a little bit of Route 120 after my son, Joey, and after all the other soldiers — for if you name it for one, you name it for all.'

"She knew of my loss," Dimock added, "and as we began to talk, we ended up in tears. As we said our goodbyes for the day, she said she would look into it and get back to me. And here we are today."

Bush was accompanied at the ceremony by state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, who joined her in sponsoring the measure to dedicate the roadway. Bush also recalled the conversation with Dimock and how "she told me about the life (Joey Dimock) had lived and the work that he did."

"I learned pretty quickly about the strength of Ellen Dimock and her family and the love that she has for this community, this country and this world," added Bush, who asked the gathering to join her in a moment of silence before presenting the Dimock family with copies of the formal resolution dedicating the section of Route 120.

Just before state workers unveiled the roadside sign, Ellen Dimock said Friday's experience was one of many that gives her strength "short of having my son with me" as the years pass.

"We are given opportunities to share with you our story," she told the crowd, "and in doing so, Joey is with us. He is always with us."

Read the full story at the Lake County News-Sun.

As a state budget stalemate continues at the Capitol, State Senator Melinda Bush announced she will forgo her pay as a lawmaker if state workers go without paychecks beginning next week.

“Because of dysfunction in Springfield, hardworking state employees and critical programs for those who need assistance will go without the pay they were promised,” Bush said. “Meanwhile, state lawmakers can continue to draw paychecks. If other state employees miss their checks this coming week, I will do the same.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner recently used his veto powers to eliminate state worker pay and nearly every other part of the state budget that lawmakers approved in May. If some resolution isn’t reached soon, state workers could begin going without pay beginning next week.

If that happens, Bush would voluntarily go without pay. She has filled out the necessary paperwork to file with the state comptroller to ensure paychecks would not be deposited.

“If state workers are ordered to work for free and funding is denied to daycare providers like Dortha Rivers of Zion, I cannot accept my pay in good conscience,” Bush said. “Parents who work and rely on CCAP funding to afford services like hers are doing everything right. So are state workers who did nothing to cause this mess.”

With Bush’s support, the Illinois Senate approved an emergency, one-month budget last week that would ensure vital public safety personnel ranging from Illinois State Police to the Illinois National Guard are paid.

The Senate will return to session next week to potentially take additional action on a state budget plan.