Political impasse hurting those with greatest need
It is time to end the budget impasse in Springfield. It is time for the politicians to do their job and pass a budget now.
It is not OK to continue to hurt the people of Illinois. It is not OK that programs to help our most vulnerable citizens- the poor, the mentally ill, veterans, children, the elderly - are being cut. One example: the cuts at Lutheran Social Services mean that 4,700 people will lose services.
Cuts like these are happening everywhere in the state.
It is not OK that the professionals who provide these services are losing their jobs. Lutheran Social Services will lay off 750 employees and shut down 30 programs.
Similar cuts are being made at Kenneth Young Center, Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health and OMNI Youth Services, to name a few.
It is not OK that students are losing grant money and will be forced to drop out of college.
It is not OK to pay lottery winners when cuts like these are being made.
This mess is creating more poverty in Illinois. If this impasse doesn't end, Illinois may never recover economically or socially.
So, politicians, end the impasse. do your job and pass a budget now.
The voters are watching.
Christine Eggert
Buffalo Grove