Thresholds clients, families rally for mental health services

WOODSTOCK – If the state doesn’t figure out its budget mess, Joseph Adler might lose his home.

Adler has been living for 10 years in the apartments run by Thresholds, a Woodstock-based agency that serves the mentally ill. Because of the ongoing crisis in Springfield, the group is set to lose $166,370 in state funding – 12 percent of its own budget.

That means no more money to keep open some of its housing programs. No more services to help clients find employment.

And likely, as with other county mental health agencies, a round of staff layoffs.

Joining in the light rain Wednesday afternoon to rally in front of local lawmakers’ offices, Adler and about 15 others held signs reading “Treatment Works” and “Represent All of Us!”

Milvi Garcia was there, chanting along Route 14 in Woodstock for her brother, who also lives in Thresholds.

“I don’t know what we’d do without the program,” said Garcia of Woodstock. “I don’t know where he could stay.”

Merle Conklin of Wonder Lake huddled under another protester’s umbrella in

support of his 20-year-old granddaughter, who suffers from bi-polar disorder.

“She needs those services,” said Conklin, noting that other insurance options are costly. “For her parents, even, the counseling times for them are very helpful.”

Funding for social services has been threatened for months since Gov. Pat Quinn’s plan to dig out the state’s $9.2 billion deficit via an income-tax increase didn’t fly. Twenty local mental health agencies – translating to more than 6,800 clients – stand to lose at least $6.75 million.

“I’m kind of in favor of the tax hike, even if it’s a hard thing to do,” Adler said.

Julie Gibson, a program director with Thresholds, echoed that sentiment.

Thresholds has served McHenry County for more than 50 years, helping the mentally ill live in communities rather than institutions, hospitals or jail cells. In turn, Gibson said, this helps save the state money.

About 60 to 80 local clients receive help from Thresholds, with another 7,000 statewide.

The funding cuts will force Thresholds to serve about 2,500 less, Gibson added.

“It’s kind of shameful to be using our people as political hockey pucks,” Gibson said. “This will cost more money and human misery, ten-fold.”