Well, Springfield has succeeded. They have dismantled the lives of the innocent, those who have no voice, no power.

Our 42-year-old son, Michael, was born with Down Syndrome, a gentle person who is one living to do his best. Since Peoria had no appropriate living facility for him, one was found for him in McLean County. A job was secured there as well, at Occupation Development Center.

By doing nothing, lawmakers have allowed deep cuts to his work, to the point where they have now closed. They have taken his sense of pride in his work because they closed it.

Even if lawmakers did something now, they have lost work that cannot be returned because the companies that used their services have gone elsewhere. Happy?

They now must sit at home, another problem, because all four guys at our Michael's house - all with Down Syndrome - go to work every day, so there is no supervisor at their house.

The state has also cut funding for housing, so how are they to supply another supervisor now? Happy?

Do politicians realize that because they have not funded them through the state, they have lost matching federal funds? Do they know that they have not paid ODC since January?

Yes, the system is not working properly. Fix it, but not on the backs of innocent people.

Quit pointing fingers at each other. You are all guilty.

Merilynn and Steve Hyland

Peoria