Last spring, Illinois lawmakers began work on the fiscal 2010 budget. The State’s 2010 fiscal year began on July 1, 2009. What made this budget process different from past years is the fact that Illinois’ budget woes are worse than ever. According to the Citizens for Tax Justice, Illinois has one of the worse budget deficits and tax reform is long overdue. The 2010 proposed budget did not even come close to balancing revenues with expenses. Legislators worked on cuts in all areas, but in human services the threatened cuts looked absolutely catastrophic. According to the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, the reductions would have slashed human services funding by fifty percent.

 To prevent this worst-case scenario, a grass roots movement against the proposed human services cuts ramped up. Staff and volunteers from non-profit human services providers, including Charleston Transitional Facility (CTF) and Southwest Community Services, Inc. (SCS), took action to let everyone know that the projected budget cuts would harm people with disabilities. They met with their Representatives, picketed in front of legislators’ offices, and went down to Springfield to attend a rally. The demonstrations and corresponding media attention definitely helped. While cuts were made to programs throughout the state, the doomsday scenario was avoided . . . for now. The budget that eventually passed in July is only temporary and will be renegotiated in January, 2010. It may be necessary to break out those picket signs again.

Unfortunately, until Illinois can figure out how to bring in more money than it spends, we will continue to face these budget problems. CTF and SCS have done an excellent job continuing to deliver high quality services during these uncertain times. Community Services Foundation serves an important role for the agencies in providing grants, loans, and fundraising assistance.

Your help is needed, too. Write letters to your Illinois Representatives and let them know how important human service programs are to you, your family, and your community. Also, please donate to CTF or SCS through the Foundation’s Making A Difference . . . Making A Match campaign. The agencies will receive $2 for every $1 you donate.

Visit the Community Services Foundation website for current news and legislation information.

Sue Stefanovich
Editor