On May 6th, the No Cuts to CILs Rally took place outside the State House Annex in Trenton to protest proposed budget cuts to New Jersey's Centers for Independent Living (CILs). The New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) has proposed eliminating the $3 million in funding currently earmarked for the state’s 12 CILs in the 2026 budget, which begins on July 1st.
Rally to Restore Funding for Centers for Independent Living in FY26 State Budget, May 6
Advocates from across New Jersey will rally on Tuesday, May 6, at noon at the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton to demand the restoration of $3 million line item funding for the Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the FY26 budget. #RestoreThe3Million
The New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living (NJACIL) is organizing the “No Cuts to CILs Rally” to oppose the complete elimination of the line item providing funding for New Jersey’s 12 Centers for Independent Living in Governor Murphy’s proposed FY26 budget. CILs are consumer-controlled, community based, cross-disability, non-residential nonprofits that support the independence and wellbeing of people of all ages with all types of disabilities across the state. #NoCutsToCILs
“At a time when the disability community is more vulnerable than ever, funding the Centers for Independent Living is more essential than ever,” said Donald Campbell, Vice Chair of NJACIL, noting that one in four New Jerseyans — 25% of the state’s population — lives with a disability.
NJ's Disability Community Rallies Against Proposed Medicaid Cuts
On March 6th, more than 400 people throughout NJ participated in a rally to protest a proposal to cut $800 Medicaid spending over 10 years. The event, organized by the Alliance Center for Independence and Protect Medicaid Coalition, took place at the NJ State House Annex in Trenton. The Protect Medicaid Coalition is made up of over 40 disability organizations, Centers for Independent Living, individual advocates, non-profit organizations, and disability allies.
ACI attends Senator Booker Press Conference on Medicaid cuts
The Alliance Center for Independence, along with DAWN, the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities, and other disability organizations and advocates, participated in a press conference held by NJ Senator Cory Booker.
The event took place at University Hospital in Newark on March 3rd. Senator Booker used the press conference to denounce efforts to cut Medicaid proposed in congress. Last week, the House passed a resolution to cut $800 billion in Medicaid over 10 years.
Protect Medicaid Rally to Defend Vital Medicaid Funding
TRENTON, NJ – [February 19, 2025] – The New Jersey Protect Medicaid Coalition is mobilizing advocates, community members, and supporters to rally to defend Medicaid funding. Proposed cuts in the federal budget will negatively impact 1.9 million New Jerseyans. The Protect Medicaid Rally will take place on Thursday, March 6, from noon to 2 PM at the NJ State House Annex, 145 West State Street, Trenton, NJ, rain or shine.
“We cannot stand by while life-sustaining services are threatened. This rally is an opportunity for our community to come together and demand that our legislators protect Medicaid,” said Colleen Roche, a Medicaid recipient and member of the Coalition. “Medicaid is not just health insurance - it’s a lifeline.”
ACTION ALERT: Medicaid is at risk of being cut! Share your story! 🚨
As the new Congressional leadership prepares their 2025 legislative agenda, reports show that Medicaid is at risk of being cut. If you have Medicaid, these changes will impact you!
According to Justice in Aging, Medicaid "reform" proposals will lead towards taking federal funding away from states or restrict eligibility. Nearly 80 million (including 13 million seniors and people with disabilities) rely on Medicaid for health and long term care.
ACTION ALERT: We need your stories about NJ Transit! 🚨
Are you a person with disabilities who has faced challenges while using NJ Transit bus services, including Access Link? ACI wants to hear from you!
We are collecting stories from individuals who have had their Access Link rides canceled abruptly, experienced significant delays, faced untrained drivers on fixed-route buses, untrained in tie-down procedures or encountered malfunctioning wheelchair lifts. Your voice matters, and sharing your experience can help bring about much-needed change!
