Pressure leaders for state budget

The state of Illinois is destroying the safety net provided by not-for-profit human service agencies. We are now approaching the ninth month without a state budget.

Our elected officials of both parties continue to refuse to negotiate in earnest. It is apparent that politics and power are vastly more important to them than our most vulnerable residents.

Many vital social services provided since July 1 remain unpaid for. Even so, many organizations continue to provide the services to whatever extend they can. Most are depleting any reserves they may have.

Lines of credit are being maxed out. Both large and small human service agencies are finding no alternative other than to let skilled and dedicated employees go. Programs vital to our most at risk residents are being closed or reduced.

Services lost may never return. What is even more concerning is that there is no end in sight. The governor is now talking about a FY17 state budget while the current year is being ignored. Will our elected officials work to complete their most important responsibility and pass a budget? Will we move into FY17 still without a state budget? How many not-for-profit organizations will remain financially viable if that indeed occurs?

I have been working in the field of human services here in Illinois for over 40 years. It has never been this bad or the outlook for the future this bleak. All of us should insist that our state representatives and senators stand up to the leadership of both parties and do their job.

They must cooperate for the benefit of our most at risk residents and pass a fair and bipartisan supported budget. Bruce Rasey

Vernon Hills