Human service providers say help for senior citizens and the disabled will be greatly affected if the state budget cuts are not restored.
Advocates are rounding up clients in hopes of getting their message across to state legislators.

For 78 year–old Leatha Shareef fixing lunch does not pose too much of a problem unless of course she gets an annoying visit from one of three companions.

"Memory loss, I also have lupus, also I have rheumatoid arthritis and either one pops up when ever it feels like it," Shareef said.

Fortunately Shareef can manage living activities with help from her Home care aide provided under Lutheran Social Services.

"Right now my handwriting is not too good so she usually has to keep up with me. She stands beside me," she added.

Under state budget cuts effective July, Shareef could lose the services of her home care aide.
Social service advocates say 130 workers like Stephanie Drain will also lose their jobs and some seniors could be forced into nursing homes.

"From time to time people have discounted us, discredited us even frowned upon us. To them we are the minority, anything we do they can do better. What they don't know is that we have been called to service," Drain said during a news conference Tuesday at Lutheran Social Services office in West Peoria.

Service providers say state legislators must fight to keep the programs working because many seniors like Shareef rely upon them.

"I'd be in a lot of trouble because I would have to do all that by myself unless one of the nieces come over and they're both working and they got kids and they got to take care of them too," she said.

Shareef hopes her home care aide will be around for her regular doctor visits and trips to the grocery store.