Rauner: Crime to spike 'at some point' due to budget impasse

OREGON, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner says he expects crime will spike "at some point" because the state budget impasse is leading to cutbacks of a juvenile offender program.

Rauner told reporters Monday that data don't show any increase in crime since several counties have been forced to close Redeploy Illinois. But he says "it will."

Rauner's comments go a step further than what the administration's public safety director has said about reductions to a program that provides a community alternative to juvenile jail.

Some areas say they've already noticed the impact.

In Rockford, police attribute at least part of a juvenile crime wave this year to an area Redeploy program closing.

Roughly $5 million was allocated to Redeploy before the impasse. But without a budget, money isn't being distributed, forcing closures.