Catastrophic Consequences to Illinois Families - and the State - if Governor Rauner's Budget is Enacted
Survey of just 50 of the 1,600+ Illinois Human Services organizations shows 86,008 people denied services, almost 800 jobs lost.
CHICAGO, June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Illinois Partners for Human Service today released the results of a survey, conducted over the last several weeks, that shows just a fraction of the potential impact to Illinois' human services network if Governor Rauner's proposed 2016 budget is enacted. In a survey of 50 community-based human service organizations, more than 86,000 Illinoisans would be denied critical services and 717 human service sector jobs would be lost.
"Our leaders are ignoring the impact on their communities of stopping funding for day care, summer youth programs, in-home services for seniors and people with disabilities, and all the other human service programs that keep people at work and safe in their homes," said Judith Gethner, Executive Director, Illinois Partners for Human Service. "Every one of these community programs saves the state money that otherwise will go to nursing homes, hospitals, and correctional institutions."
Gethner emphasized that the impacts documented in the survey, while alarming in their own right, represent just a fraction of the true impact statewide. "We need our elected representatives to understand that behind the proposed budget cuts are the real lives of real people that will not go away."
The 50 organizations included in the survey represent a cross section of services and geography. Together, they serve 341,000 individuals in Illinois and employ 5,800 staff.
Among the findings:
- 42 out of 50 organizations said service reductions would be necessary under the Governor's proposed 2016 budget, resulting in service reductions impacting 86,008 people and families across Illinois.
- 44 out of 50 organizations reported potential staff cuts totaling 717.
A sampling of impacts at specific organizations:
- 5,000 service suspensions at Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis.
- 275 service suspensions at Transitions Mental Health in Rock Island and Mercer Counties.
- 385 service suspensions at Life Span (domestic violence) in Cook County.
- 2,000 service suspensions at La Voz Latina in Boone and Winnebago Counties.
- 8,000 service suspensions at Illinois Coalition for Community Services in Sangamon County.
- 1,678 service suspensions at Metropolitan Family Services in the Chicago metro area.
- 1,800 service suspensions at Easter Seals of Central Illinois.
- 400 service suspensions at Options and Advocacy for McHenry County.
The full survey results are available by contacting Judith Gethner at [email protected].
About Illinois Partners
Illinois Partners is a growing, diverse, multi-sector coalition united in its mission to meet the human service needs of individuals, families, and communities and to improve the collective well-being of residents of Illinois. Illinois Partners envisions a strong statewide human services system that contributes to a vibrant state economy by supporting and enhancing the well-being of all.
SOURCE Illinois Partners for Human Service
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