Vulnerable citizens suffer as bills go unpaid

The “Deadbeat Illinois” series the Herald ran was excellent, and long overdue. Most adults with severe disabilities are wards of the state, and the responsibility of the state of Illinois. The state contracts with nonprofit organizations in the community to provide care for these individuals. These caregivers are low-paid workers who have very difficult jobs providing total care to the most vulnerable individuals. The state then refuses to pay these organizations on time.

These local nonprofits are owed millions of dollars, and are put in crisis situations to pay their caregivers. If parents refused to pay for the care of their children, the state of Illinois would prosecute them for nonsupport. Yet the legislators in Springfield refuse to pay for the care of their wards who are disabled.

Gov. Pat Quinn, to his credit, has asked the legislators to borrow funds at low interest to pay the overdue state debts. The Republicans have blocked the governor. It is hard to believe that the Republicans call themselves conservatives when they persist in refusing to pay the overdue bills of their state, for which they are responsible. As a citizen of Illinois, I pay my taxes on time and I expect my representatives to pay my state’s bills on time.

Carol Murray

Arlington Heights