Illinois already ranks 51st when it comes to funding programs which provide services for people with conditions like autism or down syndrome. The current budget will cut funding by 75%.

"People will lose their homes. Families will be destroyed. People will end up in shelters where they will be victimized. They'll end up in emergency rooms that can't afford to take them. I hate to be melodramatic but we're talking about people dying in this." says the Executive Director of Arc, Jackie Neil Boss.

In an attempt to derail these budget cuts ten different community programs which assist the mentally disadvantaged had some face time with local legislators. But Republican State Senator Dave Syverson says it won't be easy to change Springfield's mentality.

"Illinois is one of the highest taxed states in the country yet when it comes to funding these types of human services we're at the bottom. So it tells us its not about money it's about priorities." says Syverson.

Roxanne Lewis is a mother of a 30 year old disabled child. She also works for a program that helps families find money for their disabled children. She believes community programs for the disabled are more beneficial than state homes and much cheaper.

"You just hope that legislators will think to themselves 'if this were my child, what would I want for my child? When I vote I'm going to vote like this is my child.'" says Lewis.

Legislators have until July 1st to finish the budget. If the budget doesn't change, Arc estimates about 180,000 human service employees across the state will lose their jobs. Many are already working without pay. In addition the budget cuts will also cost the state 60 cents of each dollar in lost enhanced Medicaid match money allocated under the stimulus package.