Budget shortfall could interrupt juvenile offender program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The state's budget shortfall may impact a program helping juvenile offenders get back on their feet once released.

Gov. Bruce Rauner's office says funding for the Department of Juvenile Justice's Aftercare program will run out by month's end if the state can't come up with an additional $5.3 million, The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1CgjJzO ). The program helps the juvenile offenders find housing and jobs after they're released from state facilities.

Layoffs aren't expected at the moment, department spokeswoman Veronica Vera said, in the hopes that the state can shift money.

The program is among many, including a child-care program that could see a stoppage of services in the coming weeks unless there's an infusion of funds.

The $35.7 billion budget that was signed last spring by former Gov. Pat Quinn didn't allocate enough money for expenses, while a decision on extending Illinois' temporary income tax increase went unaddressed - partly because of the November election. The tax increase rolled back on Jan. 1, creating a $1.6 billion hole.

Rauner is seeking expanded authority to move what he calls "nonessential" funds to areas he calls "critical," including the child-care and juvenile justice programs.

He and leaders of the Democratic-led Legislature have spent weeks negotiating proposed solutions, but no agreement has been announced.

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Information from: Daily Herald, http://www.dailyherald.com