Responsible Budget Coalition's Save our State Rally

[Jawstaysun]

To quote Illinois most famous citizen:

The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people, whatever they need to have done, but cannot do at all, or cannot so well do for themselves, in their separate and individual capacities. - Abraham Lincoln

The solution?

ENACT A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET NOW!

[Jawstaysun]

In addition to having ALREADY made cuts in Social Services, many Social Service providers say they are considering making cuts in employees hours, implementing layoffs, and closing many neighborhood locations. THEY and YOU and ME and ALL CITIZENS OF ILLINOIS WILL BE AFFECTED!

[Jawstaysun]

Illinois has ALREADY announced plans to lay off state employees. Illinois has ALREADY announced more than $90 million in proposed cuts to the Department of Human Services that would leave the state without the infrastructure needed to start moving psychiatric patients from nursing homes to community housing. The list goes on and on and on!

[Jawstaysun]

There are numerous examples of how cuts to Social Services have ALREADY begun to have an effect upon citizens of our state. Illinois has ALREADY reduced funding for early childhood education by 10 percent, which could cause as many as 10,000 children to lose eligibility. Illinois has ALREADY cut higher education operating funding and financial aid. Illinois has ALREADY reduced funding for child welfare, mental health, youth services, and other programs.

[Jawstaysun]

The State of Illinois budget crisis and ensuing Social Service cuts are VERY REAL PROBLEMS that the general public does not seem to be taking seriously or has accepted that THEY will not be affected so why should THEY be concerned? The fact is that, unless a RESPONSIBLE BUDGET is enacted that addresses the VERY REAL Social Services needs that thousands upon thousands of their neighbors rely on each and every day, THEY will also be affected.

[Jawstaysun]

Now add to that several hundred other organizations and entities throughout the State of Illinois and you will begin to get a glimpse of the seriousness of the situation that these organizations and entities face through no fault of their own save expecting the State of Illinois to live up to its obligations.

[Jawstaysun]

The continuing delayed reimbursement by the State of Illinois has caused LSSI to cut vital services and programs and take out line of credit loans that it would not otherwise need. Employees have been down-sized. Keep in mind that LSSI is just one organization that has performed contracted services for the State of Illinois and CONTINUES TO WAIT to be reimbursed.

[Jawstaysun]

As the State Assembly continues to delay enacting a responsible budget, one of the largest Social Services organizations in the State of Illinois, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), continues to face major crises due to the delayed reimbursement for contracted services rendered.

[Jawstaysun]

I was at the Save Our State rally Wednesday which was sponsored by the Responsible Budget Coalition. I prayed with the participants. I chanted with the participants. I marched with the participants. I WAITED with the participants.  And WAITED. And WAITED. And WAITED...

[matthakeaz]

Remember NJ governer's speech, excerpted here: "A retired teacher paid $62,000 towards her pension and nothing, yes nothing, for full family medical, dental and vision coverage over her entire career. What will we pay her? $1.4 million in pension benefits and another $215,000 in health care benefit premiums over her lifetime. Is it fair for all of us and our children to have to pay for this excess?" No wonder there is a web site called pension tsunami, and it is scary!