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Senate moving bill to appropriate federal dollars

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Illinois

* From a press release, with emphasis added…

Community Action Agencies throughout Illinois have begun to close, forcing agencies to turn away thousands of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents. These families will not receive the vital services and support they need because the state budget impasse has no resolution in sight.

Community Action Agencies (CAAs), which are the largest poverty-fighting network in Illinois, are federally designated to locally address the root causes of poverty. In Illinois there are 36 agencies that address poverty through programs and services in all 102 counties. Collectively, CAAs in Illinois serve more than one million individuals on an annual basis.

Many Illinois CAAs are engaged in community and economic development activities that range from affordable housing, housing rehabilitation, supporting local businesses, and employing small contractors to work in programs such as the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program. These agencies use a combination of federal and state funding to address local poverty issues.

“Many of our agencies do not have non-grant resources to keep doors open and continue to provide services during the budget impasse,” said Dalitso Sulamoyo, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies. “The federally funded programs have no bearing on the state budget. We do not understand why agencies cannot receive federal funds during the budget impasse. We are deeply concerned that our working families who are struggling will fall deeper into poverty because they will not be able to get the necessary help from our agencies.”

Community Action Agencies have already laid off over 1,000 staff and have begun to shut down facilities and services to seniors, children, and persons with disabilities due to the budget impasse. The absence of a state budget means that these agencies are now not able to help thousands of families with services.

“We are hopeful that the budget issues will be resolved before it is too late for many of our vulnerable families. We realize that tough decisions have to be made to balance our budget. However, federally funded programs that do not require a state match need to be authorized immediately. Without the federal programs our most vulnerable citizens will be on the verge of catastrophe. We are imploring that our legislators and Governor must consider authorizing federal spending so that critical services can continue to be provided. It is simply not fair that federal funds are being tied to our broken budget” said Sulamoyo.

* From the SJ-R, with emphasis added…

Springfield School District officials say they plan to look into alternatives for keeping the doors open at Lawrence Adult Education Center this year if state funding is scaled back.

Superintendent Jennifer Gill told the school board Monday the district still doesn’t know if it will receive the same, reduced or any funding for the post-secondary school.

Lawrence, 101 E. Laurel St., is funded through a combination of state and federal dollars administered by the Illinois Community College Board.

Gill said the district has been told by the agency it can’t approve grants until lawmakers and Gov. Bruce Rauner reach a deal on a state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

* From the Randolph County Herald Tribune, with emphasis added…

The effects of the budget impasse in Springfield have hit Randolph County, as senior centers in Red Bud and Chester were forced to close their doors on Friday until at least an agreement has been reached.

Paulette Hamlin, executive director of the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council (WEEOC), released a letter to the effected sites on Wednesday announcing the closures and said that the WEEOC had been made aware on Tuesday that it will only receive partial payment (50 percent) for the services the organization has already provided in July. […]

In a Friday news release, State Rep. Jerry Costello II (D-Smithton) said the funds that keep senior centers open are mostly federal, but the state is in charge of distributing them.

“With the budget process currently stalled, the federal funds that would provide meals, cooling centers and other services for the elderly are sitting in the state accounts, unable to be disbursed,” Costello said in the release. “That is unacceptable.”

* From a story we covered here yesterday, with emphasis added…

Low income mothers who rely on a supplemental nutrition program for their children may get less help because of the state budget crisis. The organization that operates the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in Illinois says it will no longer be able to provide crucial services to tens of thousands of women.

At issue: federal money for WIC must pass through Springfield before it can be distributed in Illinois by the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA).

* From the AP, with emphasis added…

Illinois lawmakers are considering a new plan to provide almost $5 billion in federal funds for social services during the state’s budget stalemate.

The Illinois Senate is expected to vote on the measure Tuesday. It would authorize spending $4.8 billion in federal dollars for programs that help domestic violence victims, low-income seniors and disabled people, among others.

Majority Democrats and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner have been at an impasse over the budget for the fiscal year that started July 1. Without authorization to spend the federal money, many social service agencies have had to cut services or eliminate programs.

Subscribers have lots more details.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:44 am

Comments

I know I shouldn’t get nit picky in the face of potential progress… but…. Shouldn’t this have been done, oh, ’bout a month ago?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:47 am
Good. Move on the WIC funds too.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:49 am
I wonder if the “accomplished business executive” thinks it’s better for the bottom line for folks to be in IDOC Custody?

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:51 am
– Community action agencies have already laid off over 1,000 staff….–

That’s a strange economic growth strategy.

Here’s the big heat, for the governor and the GOP caucuses.

This is the ballgame for the alleged “strategy.” Watch what they do.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:53 am
“’bout a month ago” - or two.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:56 am
Federal money? Grab it now and use it for good! Then, do the obvious: fix the state budget.

Comment by Tomlinson Times Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:00 am
Any chance the Gen Assembly deliberately waited to act on this type of legislation in order to exacerbate the problem? Why wait so long for such an obvious way to help people?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:02 am
If the GA passes it and Rauner signs it, this will remove another of the pressure points on getting a budget. I may have to revise my prediction to later …

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:02 am
@tomlinson:

Agreed. Ask Bruce where his Constitutuonally Mandated Balanced Budget is. His is 3 Billion short.

Thanx!
Jack

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:02 am
What’s the position of the Superstars on this?

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:04 am
@Jack:

It is right next to Mike’s Constitutionally Mandated Balanced Budget. His is 4 Billion short.

Again!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:07 am
@Anonymous:

Please read Illinois Constitutuon!

Thanx,
jack

Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:09 am
– Community action agencies have already laid off over 1,000 staff….–

Obviously, just one of many similarly grim examples of state budget-driven layoffs taking place. What will the Administration’s excuse be when the IL unemployment rate begins boomeranging back up? That these are not “real” jobs?

Comment by Linus Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:09 am
Ducky, just a reminder, the governor vetoed this along with the rest of the budget (save the education budget). Hence the situation we are now in.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:10 am
Why is it that whenever there is a factually inaccurate statement supporting the governor, it’s usually from “anonymous”?… I guess if I was constantly posting the same BS talking points every day I wouldn’t want people to know it was me either.

Comment by MurMan Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:13 am
@Jack:

I have! But I did not stop reading at Article 8 Sec 2a. Read 2b re the Gen Assembly as well.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:15 am
We’re told that the governor wants to create pressure on the GA in order to get them to pass his ‘reform’ agenda. But then why would he sign this measure, which (like other measures he has signed) eases the pressure? Presumably because he does not want the unpopularity that he might otherwise attract. But can you create the pressure without the unpopularity? —Has anyone in the gov’s office thought this through?

Comment by UIC Guy Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:18 am
==What will the Administration’s excuse be when the IL unemployment rate begins boomeranging back up?==

Rauner: Shrinking government through loss of needed programs and jobs…Success!

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:19 am
Maybe a final budget in the spring? Or never? Is never possible? Just skip this fy entirely? Haven’t the feds been operating for years without a budget?

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am
Can we stop with the who’s proposed the right budget crap?

We all know that both sides did not want to take responsibility for the deepest spending cuts or the inevitable tax increase.

The question here is: what would be the impact of potentially getting the Federal funds portion of human services?

It obviously would be good for these organizations to get the funds, and it should occur if possible.

But it is ironic, that like with Obamacare, Republican governors who are cutting big at the state level, are using Federal spending as their own safety nets. Also, that this might allow the budget impasse to carry on indefinitely.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am
Ruaner is gonna have a “let them eat cake” moment really soon it feels like.

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:32 am
I’m waiting to hear what creative excuse the frat boys come up with to encourage a no vote on this effort.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:34 am
@Michelle

Understood. But, it seems like there has been/is a lot of complacency on the part of the house and senate dems. I don’t want to start hearing all the stuff I’ve heard for years from Risinger, Moffitt and Leitch, “Well, we’re not in-charge. We really can’t do anything. Oh those democrats, they just cut us out of everything.” It was the same thing every year. I don’t want to hear it in reverse. Put a bill together, pass it, and publicize it.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:48 am
I understand the court ordered that all employees are to be paid since the State can’t separate the FLSA from non-FLSA, but was there also any order for the State to get busy separating them? Is it all just pending appeal?

Comment by Original Rambler Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:50 am
I am not opposed to this.

That said, it seems like the budget battle is creating a nickle and dime budget…. The gov has dug in on his war with the unions, as he promised when he told them if they did not support hom they would be his enemy…. But perhaps he should givenip his request for laws to take from the union what they have and focus and getting an agteement at the table and pass a budget

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:10 am
Radogno? Durkin? Put some votes on a bill to approp federal funds. Problem with sever effects and a solution.

I bet those 1,000 employees laid off didnt make big bucks, and arent sitting on big emergency funds.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:21 am
As much as I dislike the piece-meal approach in general, in the absence of a full budget, I would like to see ALL federal monies appropriated, not just those for social services. The program I work for is federally funded, and it’s ridiculous that my ability to do my job (including a lot of required travel) is hindered by no appropriation of federal funds. One of my staff is contractual and paid for with federal funds and the agency we contract with for her (and to provide some other administrative functions) amended the contract to be for only a few months, rather than a year, because they couldn’t afford to wait forever to get reimbursed. Since the finds for my program can’t be used for any other purpose, what is the point of holding up the appropriation? My contact at the federal agency I work with isn’t too pleased that the funds they awarded us are being held hostage.

Comment by Curious Georgina Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:23 am
It’s silly that the federal funds have been held hostage, but there’s plenty of blame for this to go around.

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:35 am
Curious Georgina, all the federal funds are included in the Senate’s bill, not just the social services. You’re just seeing the highlights of the bill.

Comment by Miss Marie Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:37 am
Southern IL Hooper - yes, there is enough blame to go around, but none of it belongs to the federal agency that awarded us funds to administer a program and can’t figure out why Illinois can’t get its you-know-what together.

Miss Marie - thanks. I didn’t know the bill number, so I couldn’t look it up. Do you know the bill number, by any chance?

Comment by Curious Georgina Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:44 am
Kudos to all.

==Formerly Known As… Monday, Aug 3, 15 @ 2:35 pm:

If Madigan can get a clean bipartisan pay baill through the House so fast, the Gov and GA should be able to get a clean bill on federal WIC funds through quickly. Assuming it is a clean bill, that is. ==

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:56 am
Georgina -

In no way was I meaning to imply federal agencies are at fault. It’s the Governor and the Assembly to blame.

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:08 pm
==—Has anyone in the gov’s office thought this through?==

The answer is no.

Comment by Abe the Babe Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Absolutely, Southern IL Hoopdee.

Comment by Curious Georgina Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:30 pm
What about those federal funds that require a state/local match? Why stop at the 100% federal funds. If the governor is such a good business man, he ought to know about leveraging funds.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Not for nothing, but at the Federal Agency i work at, typically there are matching funds that are required before we give out anything. How much of the $4.8 billion would require matching funds that haven’t been appropriated yet? For grants and such that require a match of some sort, Without those matching funds, the money may not be able to be legally appropriated and used in the first place.

Comment by benniefly2 Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:03 pm
As these programs continue to be funded without a budget, Rauner’s power to get his turnaround agenda passed fades to zero. Perhaps he needs to think about a reset.

There are other ways to make Illinois more business friendly: decrease business regulation and improve infrastructure. These types of legislation actually have the potential for passage.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:15 pm
Will someone please hand a copy of our State Constitution to our governor and ask him to read the Preamble? The Preamble is not binding constitutional language, but it sets out the purpose and primary responsibilities of state government. Fellow posters - read it and be embarrassed at the mess that has been created for community based agencies and the vulnerable Illinois residents they serve…

Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:32 pm