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Published: 7/16/2012 | Updated: 5/18/2013
By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Human Services Family Community Resource Center office in Pittsfield is relocating, effective July 26, as part of a statewide cost-cutting plan. "Several offices are consolidating throughout the state as part of the governor's overall rebalancing and efficiency objectives for controlling taxpayer costs," DHS spokesperson Kayce Ataiyero said. "Over the years, we have consolidated services to eliminate or reduce lease costs, but it doesn't result in loss of services to DHS clients or loss of employees," Ataiyero said. "We don't want people to be concerned that, with consolidation, that their needs are not going to be met by the department." The Pittsfield office at 201 N. Mississippi has five employees and handles 2,486 clients in Pike and Scott counties. The resource center assists residents in applying for cash, medical and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits as well as provides referrals to other state agencies for assistance. Ataiyero said information about those services will be available online, by phone and at other resource centers. "Instead of coming into the office, they might find information online or by calling the help line. As people become Internet-savvy, they find it more convenient to go on the DHS website and find access to applications as opposed to coming into the office," Ataiyero said. "They will have as good of access as they always had." The closest face-to-face contact, with the consolidation, will be in Quincy and Jacksonville. Pike County residents will be served, beginning July 26, by the Adams County Family Community Resource Center, 300 Maine, second floor, in Quincy. That office can be reached at (217) 223-0550 or (866) 740-3926 for the hearing impaired. Scott County residents, beginning Wednesday, will be served by the Morgan County Family Community Resource Center, 45-47 S. Central Park Plaza in Jacksonville. The Morgan County office can be reached at (217) 245-5164 or (866) 876-7663 for the hearing impaired. Pittsfield Mayor John Hayden said he hates to see the services relocate. "It's a hardship on whoever has to drive to those services," Hayden said. "I hate to see anytime people have to go outside of Pittsfield to get services. It's a bad situation." Hayden said employees at the Pittsfield facility also will be driving to other offices to work. "It makes it hard on the workers also," he said. West Central Mass Transit District provides wheelchair-accessible transportation in both Pike and Scott counties. Pike County riders should call (217) 285-4529 for more information. In Scott County, riders should call (217) 245-2900. -- dhusar@whig.com/221-3379
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