[Peace] Fwd: Food Stamps Disrupted for holidays--rapid response needed

[Debra Schrishuhn]

Folks, 
This is a long email, but the gist is that the 
Rauner Administration is allowing thousands of Illinoisans to lose access to SNAP (food stamps) because of technical problems and bureaucratic negligence. Call the governor's office Monday and demand action to restore SNAP benefits. 
Thanks
Deb

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: deb at pdamerica.org
> Date: December 17, 2017 at 3:51:17 AM CST
> To: Debra Schrishuhn <deb.pdamerica at gmail.com>
> Subject: Fwd: Food Stamps Disrupted for holidays
> 
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> Begin forwarded message:
> 
>> From: Fran Tobin, Alliance for Community Services <info at Allianceforcommunityservices.org>
>> Date: December 16, 2017 at 1:15:00 PM CST
>> To: Debra <deb at pdamerica.org>
>> Subject: Food Stamps Disrupted for holidays
>> Reply-To: Fran Tobin, Alliance for Community Services <info at Allianceforcommunityservices.org>
>> 
>> 
>> Did you see the news coverage of the threat we exposed?
>> Can you chip in to help this effort?
>> View this email in your browser
>> Tens of Thousands Losing Food Stamps
>> (yes, wrongfully ... yes, again!)
>> The Rauner administration's new computer system is causing tens of thousands of people across Illinois to wrongfully lose food stamp benefits (aka SNAP or Link) -- yep, just in time for the holidays.
>> 
>> Front-line DHS workers, union members that are part of the Alliance for Community Services, were the first to sound the alarm, as the new Integrated Eligibility System (IES):
>> * constantly crashed,
>> * automatically canceled benefits on eligible persons
>> * caused long delays in processing and even more packed and angry waiting rooms,
>> * made it difficult for caseworkers to fix the problems
>> 
>> Alliance activists worked with NBC-5 to expose the story a couple weeks ago.  DHS management knew the nearly $200 million system, designed by private contractor Deloitte, had problems, but launched it anyway.  
>>  
>> "We took these jobs to help people, but this puts one hand tied behind our back" said AFSCME 2858 activist Brian Poncin.  Shortly after the story broke, the statewide AFSCME Council fired off a strong letter to DHS management about the problem.
>> 
>> Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune added to the story, as things are getting worse.  Even DHS admits that tens of thousands of eligible persons are not getting the food help they need.
>> 
>> On Monday, during business hours, call 847-957-7838 to tell the governor to fix the IES Mess. (note:  they will not answer, or check messages left, outside business hours)
>> 
>> There are many ways the administration is undermining the mission of public service - harming poor families, seniors, people with disabilities.  The administration is
>> * making it harder to access services, by closing/moving service offices
>> * creating bureaucratic hoops that lead to loss of food stamps
>> * limiting food stamps for most poor people in Dupage County
>> * limiting overtime for home services caregivers
>> * refusing to negotiate a fair budget or fair terms for public employees
>> * and more.
>> 
>> People that depend on these services, in alliance with the front-line public employees and caregivers, can expose the truth, can stand up and fight for dignity and decency for all.
>> 
>> Click here to help support this grassroots alliance-building
>> 
>> In Unity,
>> 
>> Francis X. Tobin,
>> On behalf of the consumer, labor, community partners of the Alliance.
>> 
>> PS:  Alliance leaders are drafting priorities for 2018.  Feel free to email your suggestions to
>> Platform at AllianceForCommunityServices.org
>> 
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>> Copyright © 2017 Alliance for Community Services, All rights reserved. 
>> We're keeping community services supporters and petition signers informed on what's happening. 
>> 
>> Our mailing address is: 
>> Alliance for Community Services
>> 37 S. Ashland
>> Chicago, IL 60607
>> 
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