Budget stalemate imperils social help

In February, Gov. Blagojevich stated he wanted a Fiscal Year 2009 budget that would focus on "boosting Illinois' economy and helping working families in the face of a national economic slowdown."

And yet now, the needs of the people seem to be forgotten by many of the decision makers.

A lack of cooperation among our legislative leaders and the governor could prevent the budget from being approved, which would grind the operations of numerous social service agencies to a halt -- the very agencies that are helping people survive their own economic difficulties.

Without an approved state budget, the comptroller's ability to write checks could be temporarily suspended. These agencies need a resolution on or before July 1 to avoid a disruption.

This cry for reconciliation must reach the Illinois state capitol immediately.

On behalf of those who would be most affected by this budget impasse, particularly children, senior citizens, the infirmed, veterans, and the abandoned, we at Catholic Charities urge lawmakers to take action and prevent this crisis.

Drive by Catholic Charities' St. Vincent Center in Chicago on any weekday evening and you will see the economic slowdown in real time as lines of the hungry, the homeless, and the working poor wrap around our building, awaiting entry to our hot supper programs.

It can also be seen in the tough choices that Catholic Charities has been forced to make to balance its budget, which is thrown off kilter by rising costs and evaporating funds at the state level.

Despite the agency's financial challenges, Catholic Charities' staff and volunteers operate a host of programs that function as a safety net for so many Illinois families, meeting their needs for emergency food assistance, rental and utility assistance, counseling, day care and affordable housing, just to name a few.

Walter Ousley

Chief Operating Officer

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago