Service agencies caught in the middle

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

Editor’s note: This is the first in a multi-part series focusing on service agencies and how they could be impacted by the proposed budget cuts.

PRINCETON — As Gov. Pat Quinn and Illinois legislators continue the Battle of the Budget, area service agencies worry about who the real losers might be.

The two groups are currently at a stalemate, as the Illinois House failed to pass the governor-supported tax increase, and Quinn has not yet signed a spending plan passed by legislators in the final hours of the spring session. The plan reduces spending on human services by 50 percent from their current levels, and those proposed cuts are raising concerns across the state.

“The state of Illinois is letting down its citizens!” said Lesley Gonigam of Gateway Services in Princeton.

Gonigam said the Department of Human Services had a “bare-bones” budget of $4 billion for the current fiscal year, which could be lowered to $1.6 billion. She said Gateway Services might be facing cuts up to $1.5 million.

“Unless the governor and the legislators revise the budget before July 1, this may mean Gateway would have to reduce or eliminate programs; cut positions and/or move employees to other positions; modify benefits; or provide fewer services to consumers,” Gonigam said.

The cuts, which would take effect immediately, would begin with $1.5 million in three programs, which would be eliminated completely. Those programs are respite, family supports and supported employment.

“It’s really sad,” Gonigam said. “They won’t have the opportunity to work for fair wages.”

But there would also be cuts in other funding.

“They said no programs are off-limits,” Gonigam said.

Those cuts could include services to children, support with job placement and retention, residential care, transportation, and programs that are fees for service and grant funded.

Gonigam said everyone is afraid of the proposed cuts.

“The individuals we support are very concerned,” she said. “They are afraid that their services, the things they depend on to earn money, get into the community and have real choice, will be taken away from them.”

Parents are afraid as well, fearful for their children’s futures.

And the staff is afraid too. Gonigam said Gateway employs 125 people, with an annual payroll of $2.7 million, with benefits adding another $451,000.

Gonigam said the staff is afraid of layoffs and cutting hours, but there’s one thing that frightens them most of all.

“They are most afraid for the people we provide services for,” Gonigam said.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.