While The State of Illinois Shrinks, Others May Grow
On July 1, Illinois will be entering its third
year without a budget and there is no shortage
of blame to go around for this mammoth failure
of state government. But as non-political
entities, we are not interested in finger
pointing. We just want to be paid by the state
for services that have been provided and
continue to be provided despite the lack of a
state budget.
The result of the nearly two-year old budget
impasse has been numerous program cuts and
eliminations, staff layoffs, and closures of
human and social service agencies that provide
essential and life-saving services. And looking
forward, each day we dont get paid, our ability
to continue our work dims a bit more.
Survey results from 43 agencies and companies
that are
part of the Pay Now Illinois coalition forecast
that without a budget resolution within the next
six months:
60% expect staff cuts
58% expect significant cuts to
programs
Without a budget in a year:
65% expect staff cuts
70% forecast program cuts
And beyond a year without a budget resolution:
82% expect some or significant staff
cuts
19% forecast the possibility of shutting
down.
In survey comments, plaintiffs wrote that
lenders may pull back because of the states
lost credibility, while others are struggling to
figure out how to keep the lights on. One
plaintiff summed up the future for his
organization by saying: We are a growing
business in a fast growing market with
headquarters in Illinois. Based on current and
projected financial outlook for Illinois we will
not make any investment in jobs or expansion in
the state and will make these investments in
other states.
Not only does that reduce the availability of
social services in the state, it means fewer
jobs in Illinois, fewer taxes, empty offices,
less revenue, bigger deficit.
So as Illinois shrinks, another state may grow.
On Wednesday, June 14 a hearing will be held in
St. Clair County Circuit Court in the lawsuit
filed by Pay Now Illinois against the governor
and other state officials seeking a preliminary
and permanent injunction that would force
Illinois to begin payments for services
performed under binding contracts dating back to
the start of the current fiscal year, July 1,
2016. The hearing will begin at 1:30, with
Judge Robert LeChien presiding.
