Although the Governor and the legislative leaders insist there's a revenue shortage, a conglomerate of both Democrats and Republicans want the state to quadruple taxpayer dollars to peek into citizens' minds.
The co-sponsors of HR 113 want Illinoisans to not only continue Exec. Director Barbara Shaw's Children's Mental Health Partnership program at $5 million a year , but they want to enlarge the program by $15 million.
Whether HR 113's funds will be made available will depend upon the GA's final agreement with the Governor, but those concerned about parents rights should be very concerned that the money could be divvied out with no accountability strings attached.
Fifty-one state reps have allowed their names to be used in support of the expanding the controversial children's mental health screening program without requiring parents' consent. It should be duly recognized that two Republicans whose names were once listed as co-sponsors -- Reps. Patti Bellock and Aaron Schock -- each decided to withdraw.
Asking kids a series of personal questions (either orally or via computer) and using those answers to red flag whether a child (ages 0 through 18) has potential psychological or mental disorders -- all behind their parents' backs -- should be flatly rejected by any legislator who upholds parental rights.
The following legislators have signed on: Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg - William Davis - Elizabeth Coulson - Robert Rita, Deborah L. Graham, Esther Golar, Elaine Nekritz, Julie Hamos, Wyvetter H. Younge, Edward J. Acevedo, Lou Lang, LaShawn K. Ford, Constance A. Howard, Elizabeth Hernandez, Sandy Cole, William B. Black, John E. Bradley, Linda Chapa LaVia, Greg Harris, JoAnn D. Osmond, Carolyn H. Krause, Michael P. McAuliffe, Barbara Flynn Currie, Mr. John A. Fritchey, Careen M Gordon, Brandon W. Phelps, David E. Miller, Elga L. Jefferies, Karen A. Yarbrough, Harry Osterman, Michael K. Smith, Maria Antonia Berrios, Mike Boland, Frank J. Mautino, Cynthia Soto, Karen May, Naomi D. Jakobsson, Al Riley, Robert F. Flider, Robert S. Molaro, Patrick J Verschoore, Sidney H. Mathias, Fred Crespo, Bob Biggins, Richard T. Bradley, Jim Watson, Kevin Joyce, Jim Durkin, Arthur L. Turner and Joseph M. Lyons.
Reps. Coulson, Cole, Black, Osmond, Krause, McAuliffe, Mathias, Biggins, Watson and Durkin are Republicans. The rest are Democrats.
Call your legislator and tell them no child should be screened for mental health issues without his or her parents knowledge. Such a policy demonstrates common sense, respects family privacy and encourages crucial parent-teacher confidence.
