Illinois' Budget Digs the State Into Deeper Financial Hole

AARP Urges Governor to Ensure Critical Services Are Protected

Statement from AARP Illinois Senior State Director Bob Gallo

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The budget sent by the Legislature to Governor Quinn not only fails to address Illinois' financial woes – it threatens to dig the state deeper into the hole. After weeks of inaction, one thing is clear to Illinoisans: we will find ourselves in the same spot next year – with a broken state that cannot pay its bills or provide the most basic services to its citizens.

The Fiscal Year 2011 budget brings no new revenue to the state, nor does it pay outstanding and piling bills or makes an attempt to solve our pension crisis. It relies on heavy borrowing and fund raids, and it has been already estimated to leave the state in the red by $10 billion at the start of the fiscal year. It makes as much sense as using a credit card, or a line of credit, to pay a utility bill.

On behalf of our 1.7 million Illinois members, AARP is extremely concerned about the potential impact this budget will have on the countless older Illinoisans – and their families – whose livelihoods depend on services and programs provided by the state.

We are also deeply concerned about the impact the budget will have at the community level, where we expect to see a rising tide of closure and layoffs as payment delays crush social service providers.

AARP urges Governor Quinn to ensure, in the weeks to come, that critical services be protected from the deep cuts the budget seems to include. We are particularly worried about cuts to the Community Care Program, and the state's prescription drug assistance programs – both essential to allow older residents to stay in their own homes and communities and avoid costly institutional care.

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SOURCE AARP Illinois