Illinois School for the Deaf in Danger of CLOSING!
BY KATIE ANDERSON
Journal-Courier
The governor is serious this time, says Sen. Deanna Demuzio when talking about cuts that could close the doors to the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.
If Illinois lawmakers can’t pass a full budget by the end of the month, the state will face devastatingly deep cuts and Jacksonville will be hit hard.
Gov. Pat Quinn released a statement Tuesday listing the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired among state services that will be closed if the state can not get past its $9.2 billion budget impasse.
The announcements also predicted the closing of six of nine state-operated psychiatric hospitals, four of nine state-operated developmental centers and 42 of 120 DHS Family and Community Resource Centers.
“It tells you something about the amount of crisis that we’re in,” said Sen. Deanna Demuzio.
In addition to forcing visually impaired and deaf or hard of hearing students to find alternative education centers, the shuttering of ISD and ISVI would mean more than 350 employees in Jacksonville would lose their jobs.
“People think, this is usual, they’re playing games,” Sen. Demuzio said.
Yes, that has happened in the past, but we’re now down to what like 10 days? And I don’t think people realize the severity of this.”
A spokeswoman from the governor’s office said the announcements today are not scare tactics.
“What we’re doing is trying to make sure Illinois citizens understand the budget that was passed,” the spokeswoman said. “The General Assembly passed a 50 percent budget and funded services provided by community organizations at 50 percent, a 5 billion dollar cut essentially with an additional 4.2 billion dollar shortfall.”
“I think what the governor is trying to do is make people understand how bad the budget is, rather than just go ahead and implement these closures and changes,” she the spokeswoman said.
Stay tuned for more updates news later in this week.
PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT OF ISD STAYING OPEN!
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Fookem and Bug 
No way! It’s too good to be closed. It’s really a good school. My husband graduated there with your father. I’ll pass it on to him, I think he’d be shocked.
Unbelievable! All Deaf schools shouldn’t be closed due to budget problems! Where will Deaf kids go? Public school mainstream? Useless for sure! I’m so furious to keep hearing about the Deaf schools being threatened to be closed.
Whoever voted “Yes” to that poll “Should ISD be closed?”, you’re true clueless dumbfucks! (Pardon my language, Fookem/Bug, but I’m really furious)
Insane Misha
By the way, why in the hell did this blog go into DeafRead Extra when I already saw it in front page in first place?!? That is so wrong on many levels because I believe this is too important to let the public know about this.
DeafRead editors, please move it back to the front page for Chrissakes!!!!
Insane Misha
I agree with Insane Misha that this important blog should be in the first page of Deaf Read.
My mouth fell open when I saw this. No way.
Like Misha said, why placed in Extra? It is important enuff to be on front page. Well, I am in St. Louis now, in the City Museum where my kids are playing now…
What’s next, geez?
:o(
Wait a minute, everyone. It’s posted with the article in this is in Extra because of the policy. But….if they add something in their own words…like a few sentences..with the article will be put in the front. They just pasted the article..still it goes to Extra..So..Like I said, they need to write something in their own words…Like “I found the article in Chicago newspapers, I need to get it posted to let everyone know what’s going on here…” Something like that. It will be posted in front.
Excuse my bad English, ha…
They did the smart way because I often see lot of broken links or error page when clicking the link. The page will stay here for a year compare to article, it will be gone in a few weeks.
It is sad to see deaf schools go.
no way to closed at isd i graduated at isd it is precious it and never close at isd there is good education sports and good social for the deaf there will be 170 th anniversasry they should keep it forever
IM SHOCK BECAUSE CHICAGO BIGGEST CITY , NO WAY FOR CLOSE ITS SAD..
Terzino
ISD is not located in Chicago but in Jacksonville; 4 hours south of Chicago, 30 miles south of Springfield (State Capitol)
wow great sad for deaf culture our hertage deaf folks went school if close then whatnext generation deaf school cannot believe got need comiision daef involed with govt which know nothing need save school for deaf
No Way Closed ISD..Please Keep Illinois School for the Deaf Open Forever!! ISD considers good education and histories worthily and importantly…
hell no!!thats suck when its closed its just because due to bad budget that ridiculous!!!…grow up alot of impaired people…..be considerate…godbless..happy new 2009
NOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY!!!! KEEP ISD FOREVER!!!! I LOVE THAT SCHOOL AND IT MAKES ME REMEMBERING AND FEELING SO GOOD. PLEASE DONT CLOSE ISD!!!!!
http://www.myjournalcourier.com/video/index.php?bcpid=1155184328&bclid=1155224675&bctid=26574443001
Close it all day, get the state some money for important things.
If they want to cut bugets in state programs,,, look at all the prisons Illinois has built the past 15 years,, it costs approx 30 thousand dollars per year per prisoner ,,, Now get the stats of how many prisoners are in the Illinois prisons …. then multiply by 30 thou,,,,,, quite a bit eh ?????????? I am sure ISD and the IVS do not cost THAT MUCH and there are not as many people to support ….
Leave the Deaf school alone and the blind school, for heavens sake the deaf kids will be pushed from pillar to post !!
Please folks,,lets make loads of noise and let the Illinois government KNOW how we feel about the possible closeure …..
I am very furious with the gov they cant close ISD on the deaf children where would they go cant go to hearing schools would be no good cant learn and have to pay for interpreters that cost too! ISD is the best and good memories and good for children to social and do activities, dramas, sports and education is very important! Please Please let ISD and ISVI stay open forever!
no way the isd will close .leave them alone.they are good educate and very important asl .i am very furious with governor, they will otrder isd close. where is edcuation for children at isd. no way mainstream with hear student. keep stay isd forever ,memory many years memory!
Joseph sabbia
no way to closing our favorite school at ISD and support with isvi! Please leave that school alone and we love that school for kids have a great educationals, sports, and activities. No way to let deaf kids to public school that have no mainstream to socialize with other hearing kids and have to pay interpreters costly than our school! unfair!! There have no way for deaf kids attend to school at? Please leave ISD and ISVI stay opening! There have a great memories for our and their reunions!
Damn GOV’T and LEG’T you cannot closed that wonderful and special schools! why dont you close all hearing impaired schools, too!?
KEEP ISD AND ISVI ALIVE AND BEST EDUCATIONALS!
no way to close isd no no keep stay isd childrens need learn school please stay isd
i am sad about i.s.d. will be closeing i want to see my old friend while homecoming & support school it is best education & good teacher i feelo sorry for deaf children if the school closed deaf children need to learn
i was surprised and shock that isd will be close it is very important eduction for deaf children in future i said no way isd would not be close keep open isd i loved school my late husband thomas was in school too
ISD WAS FOUNDED TO EDUCATE THE DEAF/HOH/VISUALLY IMPARED KIDS FROM KIDERGARTEN TO HIGH SCHOOL. REDUCING THE PROBLEMS THESE KIDS FACE IN THE HEARING MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS. THERE ARE SOME OTHER STATES WHO HAVE ALREADY CLOSED THEIR DEAF SCHOOLS, AND GUESS WHAT.. 3 OUT OF EVERY 4 DEAF AT SOME OF THESE STATES DONT GRADUATE. THIS IS A SAD FACT. I AM DEAF, MY WIFE IS HARD OF HEARING, MY OLDEST SON MIGHT BECOME DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING, AND IF THEY CLOSE ISD, WHERE WILL I SEND MY KID? I FOR SURE CANT AFFORD A $150 A HOUR INTERPRETER TO ATTEND A MAINSTREAM SCHOOL FOR MY KID. IT MAKES SENSE TO SEND A DEAF KID TO A SCHOOL THEY LIVE AT, PLAY AT, EAT AT AND GO TO SCHOOL IN THE SAME PLACE.. ALOT ALOT EASIER ON THESE KIDS. I BLAME THIS ON THE STATE OF ILLINOIS NOT BEING CAREFUL ON BUDGET. ILLINOIS HAS ALMOST 47 PRISONS AT A AVERAGE PRICE OF 4.5 BILLION DOLLARS EACH, NOT INCLUDING, AND EACH PRISONER COSTS AN AVERAGE 30,000 TO 35,000 EACH YEAR. THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAS A TOTAL POPULATION OF 50,400 PRISONERS MULTIPLY 30,000 DOLLARS PER PRISONER EQUALS…$15,120,000,000 A YEAR SPENT ON PRISONERS. AND THERE IS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 1,000 OR LESS STUDENTS AT ISD, AND I DONT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ISVI, BUT PROBABLY LESS THAN 2,000 ALL TOGETHER.. WAY WAY LESS THAN 1 SINGLE PRISON COSTS… SO THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS CAN FUCK OFF, LEAVE US ALONE.. IT IS AGAINST ADA LAW TO CLOSE DOWN ANY PROGRAM THAT ASSISTS DEAF/HOH/VI KIDS… SO.. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH HOW ILLINOIS IS DOING BUDGET WISE AND MAKING STUPID DECISIONS. WHAT IS THIS W/ THE NEW HIGHWAYS. WE DONT NEED 12 LANES COME ON.. USE UR GODDAMN COMMON SENSE…
Please don’t shut down Isvi and Illinois School for the deaf… I went there at my freshman year thur i was graduation 2007. I love ISD, ISD is my second home. i want say again don’t shut down for good. Please let students of deaf and hearing of hard in the Isvi and ISD too.
Hello,
Please do not cut our school that I had been work with deaf children and others too from babysitting. They need a eduation in deaf school. I had many experience to went to public school but public school not going to successfully for deaf children not abling to learn in eduation class.. Deaf School really have many oppuntities to give a eduation for deaf and hard of hearing children will get achieve in their future for themselves. Do not cut our ISD…. they need a deaf school.. You should cut the deaf program public school because it not good eduation like behind to late learn…
If it is true business that ISD will be closed, there will be no homecoming, alumni convention (170th this summer), class reunion, alumni museum, you name it. Cut the state budget? Kiss my ass, close some prisons, cut some people who work in the state capitol. Ask my question myself what to do with ISD campus if the governor declares that it will be closed. Will it be abandoned building? Or what? So, I don’t want to see it happen like the movie, the Final Season.
please dont shut our school..full of memories!
I WAS GRADUATED (CLASS OF 1974)AT ILLINOIS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF JACKSONVILLE DONT CLOSE TO I.S.D. PLEASE KEEP OPEN TO I.S.D THERE WILL BE 170 TH ANNIVERSARY IT IS SHAME ON
Seems to me every one is saying DO NOT CLOSE ISD,, BUT……
The governor and his crew are not going to read this web site, we all need to sign that petition and let them know ” NO WE DO NOT WANT TO LOOSE THE ONLY DECENT PLACE IN ILLINOIS FOR A DEAF CHILD TO GET ITS EDUCATION”,, it is time for ALL OF YOU ISD ALUMNI to get a voice and let the govermnent know, BECAUSE if we do not speak up,, they are going to think we do not give a damn about our school..
So every one,, if you can not attend the Rally then SIGN THE PETIITON
Please don’t close ISD down. ISD have been giving good education and social events for deaf children . Please leave ISD alone.
I’m very very shocked about what I heard about closing ISD. You can’t do that, that’s our memories for all these years, where can students go if ISD close , there is no way for them to go to mainstream, they can’t learn from there and they can’t understand what the hearing students. Students belong to ISD not hearing school. If students goes to mainstreem, then state will have to pay interputer for the deaf students. That is really sad and Im very upset about what I heard saying that ISD will close. I pray so hard and hope not close ISD. ISD has very very good education and also sports for students and I’m sure, they love sports .
DO NOT CLOSE DOWN ILLINOIS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF. IT IS A GREAT SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING STUDENTS. THE SCHOOL PROVIDES THE STUDENTS OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED.
Support keep open for ISD and ISVI in the future and Mainstream schools are stink and are not worth on education and waste the money so far.
I can’t believe that’s it’s even an option to mainstream these kids back into the public schools. Why don’t they just go one step further and just not allow them to continue their education. Then they can save more money to have for their stupid pet projects. We treat our prisoners better than our challenged children. If we need to save money, how about we disconnect all the cable TV that’s provided to our prisoners and the exercise equipment. The people in this country who have killed, raped and stolen have more civil rights than these great kids that just want to have a safe place to excel! THIS JUST SUCKS ON SO MANY LEVELS!
JAM you said exactly what I have been trying to say !!!! Now if those idiots can just see it !!!!
HELL NO DONT LET ISD CLOSE. WE,ALL THE DEAF PEOPLE , ALREADY PAID TAXES IN MANY MANY YEARS AND STILL PAY TAXES . DONT LET THE GREEDY POLITICIANS TO KEEP OUR GREEN PAPERS INTO THEIR POCKETS OR PURSES.
nnnnnnoooooo wwwwaaaayyyy, ISD still opening in forever. Is are very good school for all kids, who want playing SPORTS
PLEASE KEEP ISD OPEN FOR GOOD AND PLEASE KEEP ISVI OPEN FOR GOOD.
i think the senate and the house reps of illinnois are being far more thoughtless it would look unfair for other states keeping there schools open such as penn state they onuce have the same case could not afford to keep all three schools running to were force to choose one did our ADA rights of the section 504 mention any thing about our prided flagship of our deaf school should remind open ??? why is indiana still running another year how about iowa they are smaller but still open I assume if a state with more than one deaf school that is open one should remind open for the best intrested of the deaf commuity how dare the govenor pat quinn choose ISD,ISVI to be close with other state operated psychiatric hospitials, but I beg to differnt did lincoln sign the laws back then to prove that deaf and blind can be educated by producing the deaf school that is her for more than a hundreds of years and now the govneor is mix us with the state hospitals i feel ihave been instulted here i say no leave our school alone find a better way to cut the budget!!! proud member of the class of 1976.
Keep to Open Illinois School for the Deaf!
I could not believe if ISD close for good. I grew up in ISD since I was four years old, graduated in 1958 and still involved in ISD Events. It is my heart.
KEEP ISD OPEN. KEEP all DEAF SCHOOL OPEN. NO MATTER WHAT. not need hearing school. deaf children need GOOD EDUCATION and SPORTS. ETC. I SUPPORT DEAF SCHOOLS OPEN. SAD some of deaf school already closed.(BLEEP) THAT. LOVE, CHERISH DEAF KIDS, TEACHERS and STAFF.. I FELT BAD for THEM. IF my kids are deaf, I will send my kids to deaf school and get good education. but my kids are hearing. but my kids hearing are SUPPORT deaf to keep deaf school for their NEEDS. because they UNDERSTOOD me being deaf and my kids have been seeing deaf kids in hearing school not same as deaf kids in deaf school smart than deaf who in hearing school. because there is so LIMIT. thank for listen. PRAYYYYYYYYY ISD OPEN!!!!!!
Gov. Pat Quinn have no compassion for any disability. He iS greedy. All he ever think about money. Education are very important to stay open for everyone to learn. Why shut down? That is ridiculous! We should impeach Gov. Pat Quinn!
Dont shut down our school. That kids needs to learn about their future and want to learn more about this world..Education are very important. All ISD student love our school and it means alot to us. High school students want to have education for it. We do love our school!!
i SUPPORT ALL OF DEAF SCHOOL IN U.S. HOWEVER A FEW DEAF SCHOOL SOMEWHERE AS HOPE NOT CLOSE FOR LIFE AND KEEP OPEN SCHOOL AS I LIVE IN OHIO WHICH I WENT SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 5 1/2 YEARS OLD AS I LOVE TO ATTEND DEAF SCHOOL AS IT SHOULD KEEP SUPPORT ALL US OF DEAF SCHOOL REPEAT…HOPE THEY WILL ACCEPT TO OPEN DEAF SCHOOL BEFORE OPEN THIS FALL….. THANKS.. George
Hello, everyone my name is Artis C. Newton, Jr. I am deaf. I was a former student at North Carolina School for the Deaf. I knew how it felt about closing deaf schools. I felt unfair because they were trying to close one of my former deaf school in North Carolina. I was thinking why would all stupid policitians want to vote to close deaf school so why can’t they closed public school. It time for all deaf people to stand up and if it were me, I would have start big petition to keep ALL DEAF SCHOOLS STAY OPEN.
We hardly to believe that Illinois School for the Deaf is going to be closed for good!! my gosh! keep that deaf schools open. I wondering what about the state cant afford to pay to public school either.. We heard so many public school new building, new track and many more than deaf school? tell me about it where did the public school got that money from could be from states too.. not only deaf school has to be cut budget and closed. that’s not fair!! oh by the way Hey how about will the state can afford to pay interpetere for the deaf if goes to mainstreaming public school? I support deaf school has to be stay open.. We all knows many deaf and hard of hearing are hiding and goes to public school or homeschooling. cuz parents refused let thier’s childrens goes to deaf school… the reason many parents doesnt want deaf kdis goes to deaf school cuz of many thing happens going on. ohhhh please come on same thing public school does that happens to kids too like sexual harrasssment, sex with teachers and many more not only deaf school and cuz of budget that bunch of bullshit!!! I dont agree with that. but the worsest part is the most public school has been goes on problem with teacher/students been sex, sexual harrassment, threat, not teach them enough(how do I know about this?)and many many more than deaf school. cuz I remembered my youngest daughter was in high school. couples of teacher did not explained something or show them hwo to dit just tell them to goes the pages and do that work on it without even explains she was not very happy with the stupid public school so she transfere to different city public school oh she very happy and very comfortable with the teacher who really teach her and explain before they do work on it. she very happy with different school SEEEEEEE depend on where the good education goes to any of public schoolDUH!!! but as for deaflhard of heating need to keep that deaf school keep them good educaiton and has many many good for them!! also I agree with lissu what this person said “No way to let deaf kids to public school that have no mainstream to socialize with other hearing kids and have to pay interpreters costly than our school! unfair!! There have no way for deaf kids attend to school at?” yes right many gov’t are very very very GREEDY dont want spending on any of those school and stuffs!! We think Gov’t steal money think himself/herself not for others!! They have to spending on school, any businesses or anything to aviod to pay the taxes! they must have forgetten about this and think twice!! I’m proud of Illinois deaf people stood up and fights for ISD(illinois) to keep that school open!! We wondering why not south dakota deaf school no one stood up and fights to keep deaf school open they just sit back out doing nothing to stand up speak out & fights to keep south dakota deaf school.. We surpirsed what is wrong with south dakota deaf/hard of hearing people did not stand up, speak out, fights that they has rights to keep s.d. deaf school?? DONT YOU AGREE WITH THIS. We want many states deaf school people to keep fights, speak up to have rights to keep deaf schools!! Take Care
WE AGREEEEEEEE WITH THIS PERSON WHAT THEY SAID!!!!!!YOUR RIGHT WHY NOT THEY CLOSED PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Artis C. Newton, Jr. said
July 6, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hello, everyone my name is Artis C. Newton, Jr. I am deaf. I was a former student at North Carolina School for the Deaf. I knew how it felt about closing deaf schools. I felt unfair because they were trying to close one of my former deaf school in North Carolina. I was thinking why would all stupid policitians want to vote to close deaf school so why can’t they closed public school. It time for all deaf people to stand up and if it were me, I would have start big petition to keep ALL DEAF SCHOOLS STAY OPEN.
no way isd close school i know that school is bigger i went there 1982-1983 when i was freshman and I remeber that time in spring break we did not take break springs time we stay till end season it again strike so we want isd keep school open for deaf and hard of hearing need future
ISD TAKE A TIME TILL REALLY ” Dream True Coming ” ISD schould be The Country new school, Dinner Hall, Field, Etc. & “Dormitory” but Subvision Houses style with pravite metal fance + code number 2 outside but code number only change when you move somewhere & do not for sale house but unility free with budget rent to own or buy it if you longer live house 5-20-? year then give your big check money when you move somewhere that all you can idea friend Mitch
” Illnois School for the Deaf ” new home Sudivison Houses full then can use the Apartments how man ? with fance too and golf course, more etc if you wish more idea friend Mitch
” ISD ” new home & who student and child love eduication ISD the country make you feel better smart , more etc. and look at log home as lodge mountain, wildlife member age & older learning more etc. you can idea friend Mitch
I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY NATIONAL DEAF & BLIND WAY SIGN LANGUAGE THE SITUATION FROM ARKANSAS AS MOST OTHER IN THE USA
I DON’T KNOW WHY DEAF & BLIND “LANDLORD” & REHABILITATION SERVICES THE SITUATION CALLED CLIENTS NEED LEAVE NEW LIFE OWN PLACE HOME NO MORE CLIENTS !
ASK FOR DEAF THE WORLD SITUATION REASON THAT ALL
All social programs in Illinois are being cut…there is NO money. We elected the wrong governor and have a history of corrupt governors… Prisons have plans to reduce inmates by 50% by using ankle bracelets and probation. It seems like ISD is awfully expensive, 9 billion a year? Why so much? Why not mainstream? I realize it’s change and therefore scary but what’s the harm with integrating and making all children a part of the same world? We’d need to change public school policy on deaf education for sure… Why is it that our deaf children don’t learn to function in the world? I can’t understand the last post at all… Seems like our deaf children need to be able to care for themselves in the event of change in the world, like now… Does ISD enable them to live in a separate reality and leave them vulnerable without it?
Yeah, We are really sad to hear that ISD will have to close due to ecnomy that we can’t do anything about this.. But we had a very good and fun memories with deaf and good chance school life, too.. Let’s prayers for all America school for the deaf states.. the Kanes.
NO WAY for closed keep it and where is history for many of deaf life also my nephew were go there and got graduate there and keep history
close it and send these kids back to their districts.If they have to go into mainstream then they get an interpreterfor each class and saves the state alot of money.
Keep open ISD forever!
As of May 2010, is ISD still open? I HOPE SO!
Hi Mitch!
Curious how many students are at ISD at this present time? My time was @500 students.
Sher, 1978
I think that its around 275-300 students at ISD
please want stay to open isd. if close isd we not learn nothing. i don’t want go to mainstream because not good education learn not enough late. they had bad grades because not understand what you say to teachers? because no deaf and friends very sad. Children can’t future jobs. this isd more best education school and learn lots anything world. I want become smart future. I want important my goal. please leave isd alone! i missed my isd school. keep open of school. forever!
Keep ISD and ISVI opening foeever. Mainstream schools don’t help deaf students at all. Thanks Chris ISD class of 1965
Absolutely school should stay open…ASL is now taught in a myriad of colleges for credit to help facilitate better communication w/ the hearing impaired (kinda levels the playing field) cut out expensive political trips, expense accounts,raises, etc…put the money where it is most beneficial (not line political pocketbooks) deaf folks DESERVE a quality education…give them the money….
This isnt right. They can’t close either school…I am a big supporter to the deaf, I am trying to become an interpreter, for the deaf, and Visual impaired, and you know, it’s wrong that they are thinking about closing either school, if they try to close either one, they will have protesters up the ass on this one. Watch!! I don’t like this one bit!!! BOO….Pat Quinn….BULLSHIT!!!
NOOOO WAY! ITS SO STUPID!
ISD SHOULD OPEN FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! LEAVE THAT SCHOOL ALONE!
Thank a lot and I’am very impressed!