Funding of human services is crucial

Illinois residents are being turned away from critical services just when they need help the most. Illinois workers within the nonprofit human services sector are losing their jobs and communities are losing vital businesses. Cutbacks, closures and late payments are dismantling the state's human services network.

We need leaders who will work to:

Ÿ Pay what is owed. Illinois must pay what it owes to its human service providers in a timely and appropriate manner for services performed.

Ÿ Avoid further cuts to human services. The disabled, the mentally ill, troubled youth, the elderly and thousands of others have already seen significant budget reductions in the last two years and through late payments. There needs to be shared sacrifice, but the human service sector has contributed more than its share already.

Ÿ Fix the system. State leaders need to take steps now to ensure citizens have a strong safety net and an effective, responsive human service support with adequate funding, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to the people of Illinois.

Illinois is the worst in the nation when it comes to late payments, with four out of five organizations reporting reimbursement delays, according to the Chicago-based Donors Forum.

Before the current economic crisis as many as 2 million people were being helped through a wide variety of services. These programs create jobs approximately 400,000 jobs in every community in the state. And they are effective and efficient.

Every $1 spent on child abuse prevention saves taxpayers $19 in child abuse treatments. Every $1 spent on home care for the elderly saves taxpayers $10.50 on nursing home costs. Every $1 spent on childhood learning generates $7 in taxpayer benefits.

We need a human services system in Illinois that is adequately funded, provides high quality services, and can demonstrate measurable results.

Nancy Ronquillo

Chairwoman

Illinois Partners for Human Service

and 17 others