Illinois legislators today Thursday approved stopgap funding for human services.
After ten months without state funding … after-school programs, local health departments and substance abuse treatment centers are in critical condition.
Democratic Representative Greg Harris says Senate Bill 2038 would pay social service organizations just under half of what they're owed.
"We say 'we care we care and we want to take care of you.' Today we have a chance to show that we care and to actually send them $700 million that would help them reduce their lines of credit, that would help them prevent future layoffs and agency closures," he said.
But it's not yet certain whether agencies will get that funding.
Despite broad, bipartisan support from lawmakers, Governor Bruce Rauner's office has expressedconcerns. The administration says the plan might hamstring how the money is spent.
The governor also wanted the General Assembly to include funding for utilities and other vendors that supply state buildings, parks and prisons.
