Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget would eliminate independent living services for thousands of Illinois residents, according to the Responsible Budget Coalition.
The coalition, comprised of 200 organizations across Illinois, held a press conference Thursday at the Illinois/Iowa Center for Independent Living in Rock Island.
According to Liz Sherwin, director of Illinois/Iowa Independent Living, Rauner's budget would increase the Determination of Need, or DON scores. Patients' scores indicate the level of service they would be eligible to receive.
"There are thousands of people who would be affected, many of them would end up in nursing homes," said Sherwin.
Randy Cervantes, Moline, is an example of someone who would lose his services. Nine months ago, Cervantes had surgery on his left knee; he's walked with a cane ever since.
Cervantes said if he loses his caregiver he would "probably go back into a nursing home."
Sherwin told News 8 cutting independent services would cost the state more money in the long run.
"Nursing homes cost the state about $40,000 or $50,000 per person," she said.
In comparison, Sherwin said the caregiver program can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $30,000 a year.