Dozens of Illinois’ social service providers were back in court Wednesday in downstate Belleville. Many have gone nearly a year without funding during the budget stalemate. They’re asking a St. Clair County judge to force Illinois to pay.
A central Illinois center for addiction treatment will stay open for now, despite payment delays during the state’s ongoing budget crisis. After two years without a permanent budget, the state is facing a backlog of $12.6 billion in unpaid bills to state employees, contractors and agencies.
The agency's executive director, Isak Griffiths, says despite the budget impasse, the services they provide to domestic violence victims have actually grown over the last 18 months.
The community has lost 95 emergency beds for homeless men since the start of 2016 because of budget cuts. There is a plan in the works to replace 30 of those beds in January through March of 2017.
The political spotlight has shifted to the election, but the state budget crisis continues to cost the people of Illinois.
