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Illinois budget impasse affecting emergency call systems

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois residents seeking help through their local emergency 911 systems may be on their own if the budget fight between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrats in the Legislature continues.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports (http://bit.ly/1N9WjT8 ) without a budget in place, emergency call systems are no longer receiving revenue from a tax on cell phone users.

Under state law, 911 fees for landline phones are paid to county-level systems. Fees for cell phones go into a statewide pool. But Rauner says without a budget in place the money cannot be distributed.

"It's hurting every 911 center," said Connie Armstrong of the Woodford County 911 service. "That's money we use to pay our bills. We don't know what we're going to do."

Williamson County's 911 service coordinator Ken Smith says the budget crunch and a consolidation of services in his county have the potential for longer wait times for callers reporting an emergency.

The $32,000 per month the county should be receiving from the surcharge is a key component of the county's 911 service budget and shouldn't be used as leverage in the budget battle, Smith contends.

An Illinois House committee has passed a plan that would require the release of the funds for 911, emergency food assistance, mental health and other services during the state budget stalemate.

The House Executive Committee's 7-0 vote Thursday sends the $3.8 billion spending plan to the full House. It's not known when the House will vote.

The measure also provides $1 billion for lottery payouts. It has already passed the Senate.

Republican Rep. Michael Tryon of Crystal Lake has questioned passing the bill when the state lacks money to pay for it. Rauner has indicated he'll veto it.

In Logan County, emergency services chief Dan Fulscher said the county will be able to keep operating as usual for a few months before cuts will have to be made.

"We're prudent here in Logan County. I wish they'd be the same at the state," Fulscher said.

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