CHAMPAIGN – They came by motorized scooter, on canes and walkers, by bus and specially designed vans.

Their message was clear: Put people first.

About 500 people turned out in the parking lot of the YMCA on Church Street in Champaign on Saturday to let Illinois legislators know that the needs of human beings must come before pet projects when it comes to spending tax dollars.

They lined the sidewalks holding signs with a number of messages such as: "Jesus was a homeless man," "No funding means no future," "Mental illness is invisible." And they wore red to signify the financial blood-letting the agencies that serve them face.

Because of the overwhelming number of people, the event had to be moved from in front of the United Way office just down the street.

Despite the heat and humidity, the rally lasted two hours as about two dozen speakers told personal tales of how their lives would be different without the help of agencies that rely on state funding.

"I am tired, but I vow to fight until we see real change for human services," said Janice McAteer, director of development for the Developmental Services Center, which is threatened by the loss of a possible $3.9 million in funding under the budget proposed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

McAteer, 41, of Champaign, told the crowd she has an adult sister and a 16-year-old daughter with developmental disabilities.

"What about Taylor? What about her dreams? Who wants to look at her and tell her, 'You have to wait to fulfill your dreams because there are no services for you,'" McAteer said.

Mary Bosch, 49, of Mahomet, a survivor of childhood sex abuse, said the Champaign County Mental Health Center has helped her deal with multiple-personality disorder. The emotional support has also helped her lose 176 pounds, she said.

Mark Ohrnstein, 40, of Champaign was a cocaine addict who stole from friends and strangers a little over two years ago, before the criminal justice system linked him up with drug treatment.

"Had it not been for the services of Prairie Center, I don't know where I'd be. Dead, in jail, or in an institution somewhere," he said. "Shame on scare politics. My 80-year-old father said he's ashamed to be part of a society that would turn its back on the people who need help most."

Josh Herman, 24, of Urbana said he had been to jail multiple times for stealing to support his drug habit, and incarceration "never kept me from doing anything."

"I'm a little over a year clean," he said. "I haven't stolen or beaten anyone up for a year. That's a big deal for me. I'm happy. That's something I've never said before. It's because of Prairie Center."

Prairie Center Chief Executive Officer Bruce Suardini said his agency has been told to brace for $2.6 million in cuts. That's out of a budget of $4.8 million.

"We'll have to close programs we just got reopened from last year, like the detox center. They (the Legislature) put us in this situation annually but use us as leverage to pass whatever issue they have. For everyone to have to deal with the anxiety and stress of notifying clients they won't have services is just appalling," he said.

Melissa Neely, 42, of Urbana held her toddler Kanini Ali, 18 months, as she told the crowd that the services of the Crisis Nursery of Champaign County "saved my family." Alone without family or friends in the area, Neely turned to the Crisis Nursery during a crisis in her own life last year and found the staff there were the only ones willing to help her get back on her feet.

"We don't have to convince each other. We have to convince our legislators," said Pam Henson. The 52-year-old single mother of three from Sadorus told how Developmental Services Center has helped her with a daughter who is autistic and epileptic and can't speak.

"Please, please, contact your legislators. Bang on their doors, e-mail, write them," Henson said.

State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, was the only area legislator at the rally, although Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, sent comments that were read to the crowd.

Holding his 8-month-old daughter, Ella, in his arms, Frerichs said he knows how much work she is and he couldn't imagine what it is like to have a special-needs child.

"I'm going back to Springfield next week and talk to my colleagues and tell them to do the right thing," he said. "We're not a state of individuals. We're a community, and a community takes care of each other. We need to stick together."

In response to a man in the crowd who yelled there was too much waste in government, Frerichs agreed but said there's not $11 billion worth of waste – the amount of the deficit.

"It's going to take sacrifice. No one likes a tax increase," he said, noting he voted for one.

Quinn has called lawmakers back to Springfield Tuesday for a special session to deal with the budget crisis.