Police ask lawmakers to protect youth funding

SPRINGFIELD — Law enforcement officials from across Illinois are pushing to maintain early education and youth program funding as the state faces budget cuts next year.

A group of a dozen police chiefs, sheriffs and state's attorneys met with lawmakers in Springfield on Thursday. They say cutting money from these programs will result in higher crime rates and increased law enforcement costs in the future.

State revenues are expected to dip $1.5 billion dollars if the temporary income tax increase expires as scheduled in 2015.

Law enforcement officials say if children are supported at an early age, they'll be less likely to commit crimes later in life. They're requesting to keep funding for early education, home visiting, and after-school programs along with the state's juvenile justice Redeploy program.