A funding crisis for social services

For the past few years, private and faith-based social service organizations serving Illinois' most vulnerable residents have quietly labored under an increasing financial burden. In recent months, this burden has become a crisis.

Most people don't realize private organizations are the primary mode by which the state delivers mandated services to seniors, people with disabilities, children, families and others in need.

Despite steadily rising costs, most reimbursement rates for these services haven't increased in nearly a decade. To make matters worse, the state is nearly six months behind in paying reimbursements.

Like other businesses, these organizations already have cut costs and even taken loans to preserve the high level of services Illinois residents deserve.

Unfortunately, the only thing left to cut is services for people who need them most.

To avert further crisis, Gov. Blagojevich and the General Assembly must act immediately to eliminate the backlog of unpaid reimbursements and provide critically needed new funding, so reimbursements reflect actual costs.

Specifically, the General Assembly should enact a 3 percent increase to all social service reimbursements rates in the state's FY 09 budget.

Additionally, as new sources of revenue become available, the needs of our state's most vulnerable people must be addressed. New spending to support education or health care should not be considered apart from critical social services for people in need.

Earlier, 200 Lutherans from around Illinois traveled to Springfield for our 5th annual Lutheran Day to advocate for our most vulnerable residents. At a service in the State Capitol, we prayed for wisdom and strength for lawmakers and for the resources to continue providing vital services to Illinois residents.

We ask people of all faiths to join us in urging legislators to close the social services funding gap. The time for action is now.

Bishop Warren Freiheit Central-Southern Illinois Synod

Bishop Wayne Miller

Metropolitan Chicago Synod

Bishop Gary Wollersheim, Northern Illinois Synod

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America