HR0159 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0159 LRB101 11362 MST 56856 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Cornerstone Services on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Cornerstone Services was founded in 1969 as the Will County Sheltered Workshop by parents and community leaders who wanted to create new opportunities for individuals with disabilities, beginning with services for three people and growing ever since; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding, Cornerstone Services has expanded significantly, offering progressive, comprehensive services for people with disabilities; it promotes choices, dignity, and the opportunity to live and work in the community; it presently serves almost 1,200 persons daily; and

WHEREAS, Cornerstone Services advocates for people with disabilities and is recognized as a leader in providing support through seven-day program locations and 42 group homes in Will and Kankakee Counties; and

WHEREAS, Cornerstone Services' 550 full and part-time employees provide specialized services to empower individuals with as much independence as possible and help people find and keep jobs, maintain stable housing, and learn to access public transportation and community resources; and

WHEREAS, Last year, Cornerstone Services helped people with disabilities secure 187 new jobs, resulting in $1.5 million in wages; through its assistance, 57 percent of people with mental illness who participate in the State's Individual Placement and Support Program are employed, far outpacing the national average of 15 percent employment for said group; and

WHEREAS, Cornerstone Services is guided by the principle of individual choice, as evidenced by individuals being treated with dignity and respect and being offered a variety of choices and supportive measures to make informed decisions; service plans are developed with, not for, individuals and are driven by the individual served and his or her supporters; the fulfillment of its mission is a continued greater independence for individuals with disabilities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Cornerstone Services on its 50th anniversary, and we wish it continued success as it serves those with disabilities in Will and Kankakee Counties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Cornerstone Services as an expression of our esteem and respect.