[JAN. 21, 2006]
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinoisans can help fund research
for autism and diabetes through contributions on their 2005 Illinois
income tax returns. Last year, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed
legislation creating the Autism Research Fund and the Diabetes
Research Checkoff Fund. The Illinois Department of Human Services,
which will make grants to public or private entities in Illinois for
research, will administer both funds.
"The new tax checkoffs offer Illinoisans an
excellent opportunity to support research and improve the lives of
people who experience autism or diabetes," said Carol L. Adams,
Ph.D., of the Department of Human Services. "These additional funds
will greatly enhance the current research efforts and provide hope
for the future for those who have autism or diabetes and their
families."
Taxpayers may write in a contribution of $1 or more
to the funds on the Illinois individual income tax form or the
1040EZ form. Taxpayers filing electronically or by phone may also
make tax checkoff contributions. Contributions to these funds are
either deducted from a tax refund or added to the taxes owed.
Some estimates indicate that autism affects as many
as one in 166 people in Illinois. The Department of Human Services,
which also funds The
Autism Project in Illinois, will develop a plan for the autism
research grants to be awarded later this year.
"Research is a central component of the system of
care for children with autism spectrum disorders," said Georgia
Winson, M.S., LCPC, director of operations of The Autism Program.
"The Autism Program, an IDHS initiative, applauds the work of the
parent advocates and legislators who have worked to advance the bill
for an income tax checkoff for autism-related research. This bill
will give taxpayers in the Illinois the opportunity to join with The
Autism Program and others around the state to learn more about the
etiology and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum
disorders."
The Autism Program is a systems initiative that is
building a network of resources for children with autism spectrum
disorders and their families. The program supports training,
consultation, outreach, research and model programs through the work
of three regional training and service centers and two outreach
centers. The regional training and service centers are located at
the University of Illinois-Chicago, Hope School in Springfield and
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. The outreach centers,
established in fiscal 2006, are located at Illinois State University
and the University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana.
"The Diabetes Research Checkoff Fund represents the
type of creative and forward thinking that means so much in our
efforts to fund critical diabetes research and will ultimately help
us achieve our collective goal, which is finding a cure," said Amy
Franze, executive director of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Illinois.
"We are confident that the funds generated by the
tax checkoff will truly benefit the diabetes community and hope that
the generous people of Illinois will share our mission and help our
work to prevent or delay the devastating complications associated
with this disease while improving the lives of those living with
diabetes through research, advocacy and information," said Nancy
Harris, executive director of the American Diabetes Association of
Northern Illinois.
