- By Stephanie Procyk, CCH policy intern and graduate student in public policy at the University of Michigan
The Office of Governor Pat Quinn organized a June 16, 2009 update held at
the Assembly Hall of the Thompson Center concerning the budget cuts to
community services in Illinois. A panel composed of Michelle
Saddler, the Governor’s Director of Policy; Jerry Stermer, the
Governor’s Chief of Staff; Jack Lavin, the Governor’s Chief Operating
Officer; Billy Ocasio, Senior Advisor to the Governor; and another
individual representing the Governor’s office explained the Governor’s
position on the budget cuts, elucidated the consequences of the budget
cuts, and answered audience questions.
Prior to the update, Father Len Dubi of Saint Victor’s Parish in Calumet City organized
attendees to introduce their organizations and explain how the budget
cuts will affect their services. CCH emphasized how budget cuts
are threatening to eliminate homeless prevention funds and underscored
the need to stop the budget cuts.
Jerry Stermer led the update by explaining the cuts, emphasizing the Governor’s support of a tax
increase, and distributing a budget summary hand-out. Individuals
were encouraged to contact their legislative representatives to express
their opposition to the budget cuts. Stermer also pointed out
that budget cuts would lead to 10,000 state workers and 100,000 social
service workers losing employment.
During the question and answer period, Stermer revealed several logistical notes about the
budget. First, a reduced budget would mean reduced access to
federal funding, while tax increases would bring increased federal
contributions. Second, a 6-month budget is not viable because “no
one in the financial markets will touch Illinois”, if the state were to
have a partial budget. Third, without a balanced budget, the
state will be unable to borrow any money in the future.
The Governor wants legislators to return for a second vote, and to pass a
tax increase. The Governor’s plan would allow $1 billion in cuts
to be spread between three sectors—Operations, Education &
Healthcare, and Community Services.
However, Stermer acknowledged that the state’s backlog will continue to be a problem, with the state
running $3-4 billion behind at the end of this fiscal year.
Social service providers expressed their extreme opposition to these
cuts. One provider pointed out that layoffs from budget cuts
would lead to limited unemployment funds being made available to the
newly unemployed. Another provider asked what exactly providers
should physically do with the numerous individuals who will be made
homeless on July 1st. These queries were unanswered.
Highlights from the handout distributed by the Governor’s Office
How will the budget cut affect services in Illinois?
• $9.2 Billion Funding Gap
• Community-provided services will be cut by $5 billion
• State-provided services will be cut by $4.2 billion
• $2 billion of federal matching funds will be lost this year
• $3 billion of federal stimulus funds will be endangered in the next two years
Service cuts that could increase homelessness
• Elimination of programs for people with
developmental disabilities (Home-based support systems, children’s
residential and group home services, respite and family assistance
programs)
• Reduction of funding for community mental health programs by $108 million
• Closure of 6 out of 9 state-operated psychiatric hospitals
• Closure of 4 out of 9 state-operated developmental centers
• 50% cuts in payments to 23,000 families who adopt or serve as guardians for children in foster care
• 50% cuts in payments on average to foster parents caring for 14,000 children
• Reduction in services for youth with developmental
disabilities, chronic mental illness and severe emotional disturbances
