Consider true cost of cut in services

As time draws closer to July 1, the devastating effects of the Dooms Day budget become clearer. As Illinois prepares to cut Department of Human Service programs by 50 percent, human service organizations prepare to make decisions of what programs to cut, people to lay off and what services people will not receive.

Some agencies have already been told how much money will be lost. Many will be forced to close their doors. Where will the people of Illinois turn for help when needed?

Employees of human service organizations will also suffer. Jobs lost, homes lost, unemployment figures increase. Some say that an income tax increase will cost jobs and hurt small businesses. What about these small businesses that also pay payroll taxes, etc. while providing the much-needed human services in communities throughout our state? Is this really a good answer or even an acceptable one?

Has Illinois truly considered the consequences of these actions? Has the true cost of these service and job losses been tallied?

We need our legislators to put their differences aside, stop worrying about the next election and get back to the table!

Kelli Brooks

Lake Villa