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* A Lutheran Social Services of Illinois internal memo…
January 14, 2016
Dear LSSI Staff Member,
Recently we asked you to contact your state legislators and Gov. Rauner to urge them to pass a state budget. Thank you for your continued advocacy on LSSI’s behalf.
This January, Illinois entered its 7th month without a state budget. No one anticipated a budget impasse of this length. LSSI is in the challenging position of responding to the deadlock’s impact on our ability to continue providing services to those in need. At this time, the state owes us more than $6 million for services delivered.
Over the past months, LSSI has been using a bank line of credit and available resources from our Cornerstone Foundation. As we worked with the state regarding nonpayment for services provided, LSSI leadership began exploring options to restructure our programs and contain costs. As we finalize plans for a restructured organization, we will keep you informed in the coming weeks of the changes this will bring. I can assure you we have taken these steps with careful deliberation and prayerful consideration.
We urge you to contact your legislators and the governor’s office to let them know how critical it is for them to pass a state budget.
During these challenging times, we are grateful for your continued prayers and support of our mission.
In Faith,
Mark A. Stutrud
President and CEO
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of this group, which serves 97,000 people across the state. It cannot be allowed to whither on the vine.
Click here for information on LSSI’s good works. Click here to donate your money or your time. Thanks.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 8:52 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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A good organization indeed. I wish previous legislatures and governors of both parties would have shown the appropriate concern for them when they were kicking the economic can down the road.
Comment by Junior Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:03 am
“Bruce (Rauner) has no social agenda.”
Diana Rauner
President
Ounce of Prevention
The “no social agenda” has now been weighed and measured. It’s $510 million or a 1.4% increase in revenues in the sham Turnaround Agenda “big long term gains”
Groups, like a LSSI, should ask Ounce of Prevention’s Pre
President..
“Mrs. Rauner, you told us Bruce has no agenda. Why is Bruce destroying our group, our organization, our mission, for $510 million dollars?
You went on TV and told us, Mrs. Rauner, not to worry and you’re a President of a Social Service group. So for $510 million, we have to be eliminated?”
Hmm.
“Bruce (Rauner) has no social agenda” - Diana Rauner
That’s a 1.4% ROI for hostages… it’s $510 million for the Turnaround Agenda… so social services can whither on the vine.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:03 am
It takes two to pass a budget. The Governor and the General Assembly. In this case, more specifically, Bruce and Mikey.
Hopefully they both come to their senses soon. They have good arguments for blaming each other, but neither are helping the public.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:05 am
LSSI is not deserving of this possible death blow. Thanks Rauner. You are a real champion.
It’s a “very mad world” we now find ourselves.
“ck” will issue a statement that talks right through this.
“I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles
It’s a very, very mad world, mad world”
Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:08 am
===It takes two to pass a budget.===
Nope.
No budget until the $510 million Turnaround Agenda is passed
No budget until the 1.4% increase in revenue “sham plan” is passed.
Rauner has yet to priducr a budget, Rauner has yet to talk… budget.
Rauner owns, as all governors own, and especially when Rauner, the governor, won’t talk budget.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:08 am
Junior,
Many share your wish. Can you imagine what it would be like right now were we not overpower hundred billion dollars in the red?
We might be discussing an increase to funding for groups like LSS, rather than lifelines and triage.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:08 am
The thousand points of light are growing dim
Comment by Pacman Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:09 am
-It takes two to pass a budget-
No it takes 60 members of the house and 30 members of the senate. To reduce this to a Bruce and Mikey dispute ignores reality.
Comment by pundent Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:09 am
Junior, your words are so “talking point-ish” it’s gross.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda. Get a grip, son. This is today. That was yesterday. Your toxic and poisonous reflections serve no purpose but to illustrate your lack of grasp on reality.
Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:11 am
No social agenda, and no conscience.
Comment by DuPage Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:12 am
Whatever else Mike Madigan may or may not be blamed for, the lack of a budget is all on Rauner.
Comment by Nick Name Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:12 am
He does not care.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:13 am
Dear goodness. Here we go with another round of sorting out the personality disorder of Anonymous.
I vote that anonymous be a banned word.
Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:15 am
LSSI is indeed a worthy organization. There are many worthy organizations in Illinois.
The problem is, social service agencies cannot fundraise their way out of this mess.
Let’s say Rich Miller is so powerful in the state, that LSSI gets the $6 million it’s owed. That only counts this fiscal year. It would need a fundraising haul that large or larger each year to maintain services.
Many social service agencies have the same issue (including mine).
Thank you Mr. Miller for posting a link to allow your readers to donate to LSSI, but I would also ask everyone that there are others as well who are just as worthy.
Comment by Try-4-Truth Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:16 am
Anonymous - How much is Bruce Rauner paying you to defend the indefensible?
The greatest lie of the 2014 campaign cycle was our first lady’s — “Bruce has no social agenda” line.
So many in our state are now just learning the depth and cruelty of that dishonesty.
Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:16 am
“Can you imagine what it would be like right now were we not overpower hundred billion dollars in the red?”
You might want to check your math.
To the post: It’s sad to watch IL’s social service infrastructure crumble like this, right before our eyes.
Comment by Politix Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:17 am
It’s sad to see real people getting hurt now. I never thought we ever would get much worse than the 1992 Emergency Budget Act cuts, but this is 10 times worse. How can this insanity end???
Comment by Just Saying .... Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:17 am
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.
I’ll just leave that there…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:26 am
Rauner likes it when his hostages make statements like this. He thinks it strengthens his attacks on Madigan.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:27 am
Social service groups need to change their grassroots efforts. Instead of acting like the legislature has not passed a budget, the need to get some stones and ask their supporters to “write your Republican legislator and governor and ask them to do something.”
The Democrats passed a budget. With proper assurances from Rauner, they can pass another one.
Comment by Austin Blvd Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:27 am
Very sad that an organization that has always been a good steward of state monies is getting hurt like this, and the most vulnerable are going to suffer as a result.
Perhaps everyone better tone down the rhetoric of calling the other guy heartless or a crook, and see if common ground can be found.
Comment by Memo From Turner Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:28 am
@MisterJayEm @9:13 am
You hit the nail on the head. Letters to Rauner won’t change a thing, they might make the sender feel better about themselves, but they won’t sway Brucie from his obsession to eliminate all Collective Bargaining in this state. Our best and only hope is to try and sway enough GOP House and Senate members to do the right and ethical thing. This will be a monumental task but it stands a much greater chance of working than appealing to Brucie’s humanitarian side. I don’t believe he has one.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:31 am
Dear Governor Rauner,
You have declared next Monday to be a “Day of Service” in the State of Illinois.
For once in your tenure as governor, I would like to see you do something constructive to help the State solve the problems that we face.
Rather than moan about your difficulty with the General Assembly, propose a bill that would release funds to social service agencies such as LSSI.
Prove to us that your stump speech about making Illinois the most compassionate state is worth more than just hot air.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Illinois
Comment by Huh? Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:31 am
Shame on this state’s newspaper publishers for not producing more stories on the hurt out there for this state’s social service agencies.
Disgusting seeing every editorial board letting their hatred for Madigan, or something worse, have them marching lockstep with Rauner throughout this impasse to comfort the comfortable and afflict the afflicted.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:31 am
As the budget impasse drags along, it becomes more and more apparent that Governor Rauner does not understand what it means to Govern. Even with the numerous mistakes made by democrats over the years to get us here, it’s beyond time to end this silly protracted war. There is no honor in this Governor.
Comment by Saluki Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:36 am
Politix - it is sad to see the crumbling of the social service. However, said crumbling has been in motion for years. If Madigan and Rauner don’t work together to grow the tax base, the stress that has existed in this area will continue.
Comment by Junior Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:40 am
Isn’t LSSI a form of privatization that works, and puts society’s resources (taxes) into the hands of professionals that can achieve efficiencies?
I find this completely ironic. By allowing LSSI to wither, the implication is that the state would have to pick up the work load accomplished by LSSI. Of course, these new jobs would be part-time, with no benefits, on-call split shifts, and minimum wage. Maybe this is what Rauner/Junior/Anonymous call “creating value.” For the taxpayer.
Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:40 am
There is a segment of the population who firmly believe that Government should not be funding Social programs. They are in both party’s. Some of these are cheering this stalemate as a backdoor way to get what they have wanted for a long time.
What is more important? People or institutions? Some think reducing the income of working class folks is the solution to the problems of this State and are willing to let people suffer to achieve that goal.
You either believe we need revenue sufficient fund these types of things or you need to go on record with what we should cut to balance the budget.
All this fighting over The Gov’s Union Busting Agenda is horse pucky.
Comment by Bemused Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:44 am
===… it is sad to see the crumbling of the social service. However, said crumbling has been in motion for years.===
No. Please keep up.
This is about THIS year, this $6 million and this budget.
===If Madigan and Rauner don’t work together to grow the tax base, the stress that has existed in this area will continue.===
You need to talk to Sandack…
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.
See, the budget is being held up.
That’s by Rauner, not Madigan. Even Sandack says that…
Rauner wants what he wants, then a budget. There’s no Madigan unless Rauner shows he has 60 House votes and Madigan is holding up the vote.
Rauner doesn’t have 60 House votes, heck, Rauner doesn’t have 30 Senate votes.
This is THIS year. Today. $6 million, today.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:49 am
Frankly, the social service crowd has to end the generic “we need a budget” advocacy. Their are obvious places to focus advocacy - moderate Republican legislators and vulnerable House Democrats/Dems in districts that went for Rauner. There were two statewide referendums (min wage and millionaire’s tax) in 2014 that would give you a map of where there was high Rauner support AND high support for progressive economic policies. “We need a budget” doesn’t create pressure because Madigan and Rauner both spin that they way they want.
If they think they can wait this out for a few years and the state is going to give them the whole amount they are owed, they should talk to some state workers about their pensions.
Comment by Century Club Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:51 am
Bemused - good post. Count me as a person who wants government to provide these services to those who need it. To me, the question is how to afford to pay for it. I think there is a limit to the amount of taxes the state can effectively impose before people change their behavior (by moving or voting for the candidate who will lower taxes). I think adding more taxpayers gives more stability over the long haul. I suppose some will call it talking points, but it is also a philosophy of government (not shared by many here).
Comment by Junior Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 9:58 am
–Shame on this state’s newspaper publishers for not producing more stories on the hurt out there for this state’s social service agencies.–
With a few notable, old-school exceptions, the state media treats government and policy like they’re covering “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”
It’s all about personalities and banal conflict. Does Bruce like Rahm? What did Mike say to Bruce?
There’s no depth to it at all. You can read or watch story after story on the alleged “budget impasse” (take a drink) and not come across mention of one number or an effected function.
The Chicago media product is, again, with too few exceptions, vapid and useless.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:00 am
I feel for the employees of organizations like this who are worried about their jobs. They believe in public service and are worth so much more than they are paid.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:01 am
There have been some good points made here. But, as always, talking points have completely crept in as well.
Willy, your posts are typically on point. But your statement about “this is about this year” highlights on reason why we ARE in this mess. Everyone is always worried about the now. How do with patch this hole? How do we patch that hole? How do we sweep funds to ensure a program certain legislators like stays afloat? How do we use slight of hand to “balance” the budget? Everyone wants something. Funding programs for 2016 and maybe even 2017 is great, but we are likely to find ourselves right back in the same place in 2018 and beyond because of these same shenanigans.
I am glad that LSSI’s leadership highlighted the need to contact ALL parties and not just Rauner’s office.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:03 am
“I vote that anonymous be a banned word.”
One of my new years resolutions has been to try to ignore Anonymous commenters. My reasons are three-fold:
1) By and large, commenters too lazy to come up with a nickname are usually very lazy thinkers. In fact, they are rarely more than talking point regurgitaters. While I’m sure there are exceptions, I honestly can’t recall the last insightful post from an anonymous commenter.
2) In addition, anonymous comments are too time-consuming and tedious to engage. The discussion is relatively easy to follow when commenters use a nickname. There is the occasional atemporal cross-post, but it’s usually simply a matter of scrolling down to read comment, then reply, then rebuttal, etc.
But with anonymous comments it is always much more difficult. Which anonymous commenter are your replying to? Some try to use the Anonymous+timestamp method, but that falls apart once the Anonymous in question responds. Which Anonymous+timestamp are they to be identified with? The original? The response? Who knows? And is it even worth the effort to figure it out (see reason 1)? Of late, I don’t think it’s worth the bother.
3) Finally, the Anonymous handle allows commenters to make contradictory statements and claims without any accountability. They can claim that Politician Jones was brave and brilliant to do X in one comment and then claim that Politician Jones had no idea about X when that is convenient. Internal logical consistency is a very low standard for discussing the issues, but it is a standard to which Anonymous commenters cannot be held. And I am no longer interested in having a discussion without minimal logical standards.
There are plenty of commenters with whom I disagree who use consistent nicknames. I may think they’re wrong, simple, silly or dishonest, but I know that they care enough about the Cap Fax conversations and community to be minimally accountable, consistent and courteous. While I reserve the right to occasionally quote and dissect a particularly egregious anonymous comment, I intend to concentrate my attention on those who respect this forum enough to adopt a nickname.
I’d suggest that serious commenters consider doing likewise.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:04 am
(Sigh)
===I think there is a limit to the amount of taxes the state can effectively impose before people change their behavior (by moving or voting for the candidate who will lower taxes)===
Not one comment talks of raising taxes. Not one.
Also, there will be no tax hike for FY2016. It’s not happening. I thought there would be, learned, fell into the trap, then relearned;
#TaxHikeMike leaves Rauner without revenue.
Follow along, or learn.
===(not shared by many here)===
Being a victim here never, ever works.
You’re only a victim of your talking points and ignorance, not to anyone here.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:05 am
This is where I respectfully differ w/@Oswego Willy. To tweak a comment here that said it well months ago
==Assuming we agree all executives own the tax increases and budgets on their watch, then: why would any executive simply accept whatever they are handed by their board or GA without negotiation or compromise on both sides?
Would you simply “buy” whatever car the dealership have you? Or would you negotiate, possibly even hold out, for a better deal if you think the dealership is unreasonably trying to stick you with a bad car you will “own” the moment you drive off the lot?==
Rauner will ==own== the budget, imho, once it is passed. Until then, they are all culpable for letting their egos get in the way of what is best for Illinois.
You don’t accept and buy the junk car being forced on you, any more than you unrealistically demand a Porsche for the price of used Buick.
St Bruce and the Child Emperor Mike. smh.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:06 am
“There is a segment of the population who firmly believe that Government should not be funding Social programs.”
That’s code for all kinds of societal breakdowns. Let’s fire up the orphan train. (I have been designing my third-world style compound, so all good on this front. /s)
“Some think reducing the income of working class folks is the solution to the problems of this State and are willing to let people suffer to achieve that goal.”
There has already been an unprecedented shift of wealth and capital into the pockets of non-working class types, since the 18th century. If you don’t live off your investments and have passive income to cover your overhead, you are probably working class. Be careful what you wish for.
Comment by cdog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:09 am
- Team Sleep -
With respect,
Rauner’s solution is a 1.4% increase in revenues at a $510 million clip…
… which was pointed out doesn’t even cover… the interest… of the $9 Billion the state will be behind.
Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda, his “future big long term gain” plan”… costs… Illinois money.
Costs. Illinois. Money.
Me? Seeing a sham plan holding up things today… that’s the threat at the gate… because the sham plan isn’t helping today… or tomorrow.
That’s why.
With respect, as always.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:11 am
- @MisterJayEm -
I will try, and “sin” no more…
Sincerely.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:13 am
Willy - please note that I do not disagree with your premise. And yes…1.4% is nothing to write home about. But the issue with all of this is that there have been sham plans before, and they compound over time. Just like a family or business that pushes debt into the future with the assumption that everything will eventually be okay or even better than a current situation, any level of government that does the same is bound to constantly run into this problem. It is neither new nor will it ever go away. And then people suffer or vendors suffer or non-profits suffer. The cycle seems never-ending.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:20 am
===And yes…1.4% is nothing to write home about.===
Remember; it will cost the state money. Those “revenues” do not cover the debt incurred to see the sham reforms.
===The cycle seems never-ending.===
This “cycle”, of 7 months without a budget, court-ordered spending, labor poison pills..,
This “cycle” isn’t like ANY cycle seen… ever.
Big difference.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:23 am
- FKA -
With respect,
Unless Rauner gets 60 and 30 for his Turnaround Agenda, lemon, orange, grape… things don’t get done without 60 and 30.
If Rauner wants what he wants, he needs to get 60/30.
If Rauner has all these Democrats on his side, now is the time to show it.
It’s on a governor to get a budget passed. Not my rule, ask Gov. Edgar. Rauner has no budget, no 60/30, no leverage, and a horrible plan that costs the state money that he’s using to hold Illinois hostage.
Rauner owns this. Now we know the cost… while feeling the cost too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 10:39 am
“There is a segment of the population who firmly believe that Government should not be funding Social programs.”
Programs like LSSI and the agency I work for help people with mental illness and substance use disorders that may otherwise be in prison or in repeated hospital visits. The State - and its tax-payers - will pay one way or another. The question , then, is which is the more cost-effective and humane way to care for people with mental diseases? If LSSI or other similar agencies dramatically cut back the number of clients they serve, or even go out of business, the costs to Illinois will be astronomically larger.
Comment by JCollord Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:00 am
–Politix - it is sad to see the crumbling of the social service. However, said crumbling has been in motion for years. If Madigan and Rauner don’t work together to grow the tax base, the stress that has existed in this area will continue.–
What in the world are you talking about?
These organizations have contracts with the State of Illinois.
They’re not “crumbling,” due to some inevitable consequence. They’re not getting paid for services rendered as part of a political tactic, just like utilities and for-profit Illinois businesses that have contracts with the states are not getting paid as part of a political tactic.
For crying out loud, enough with the dishonest moaning that the governor’s tactics are somehow an inevitable result of past practices.
They are very much a willful political strategy of the here and now, calculated to achieve a political agenda unrelated to state fiscal matters.
Geez, did you even read the governor’s “fiscal and economic” rationale yesterday?
How can you still play this tune after that?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:01 am
We tried moving our foster license to LSSI this summer, but after they dropped down to only one caseworker for the area we ended up switching to a different agency. She was so overworked and we had already waited four months.
The phlebotomist who drew my blood at Christie Clinic has a foster child through LSSI; she said that she hasn’t received a stipend in over four months. She can make it without, but said she couldn’t take more children without those checks.
Contrary to popular belief, foster parents generally do not make money taking care of kids. Clothes, food, entertainment, etc. should all cost more than the stipend.
Comment by Stuff Happens Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:34 am
==We urge you to contact your legislators and the governor’s office to let them know how critical it is for them to pass a state budget.==
The letter mentions the legislature and the governor. I’m not sure how either party can be solely blamed or solely escape blame. It’s a two-way street. Tired of OW’s governors own 60/30 crap.
Comment by justacitizen Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:35 am
===Tired of OW’s governors own 60/30 crap.===
But, you can’t say it isn’t true…
So, there’s that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:37 am
“Tired of OW’s governors own 60/30 crap.”
And I’m tired of winter — but that doesn’t mean it’s not a fact of life that we have to deal with.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:44 am
MrJM +1
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 11:49 am
@Oswego Willy - likewise, with real respect, I view it as two people wanting what they can’t have.
Rauner wants his agenda and to put Madigan in his place, but can’t get to 60/30.
Madigan wants his agenda and to put Rauner in his place, but can’t get to 71 to override a veto.
That leaves us with two large egos refusing to budge until their demands are met, neither of whom can achieve their goals. It is stubborn, it is childish, and it is mutually destructive behavior.
If Madigan or Rauner were coming across as reasonable, as Madigan once did during the Blago era, it would be a different story. But in this case, one is no better than the other. Just my two cents. Best, FKA
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 1:24 pm
1:24 was me. My browser cleared, unexpectedly. I blame Raudigan.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 1:25 pm
First let me say I am not a part of the population I referenced above and fully understand the benefits of the work done by LSSI and others to the State. I happen to also find it admirable that LSSI often uses Organized Labor to construct their facilities. I hope this is because they understand a well trained and compensated workforce is good for the community and makes it more likely those workers can contribute to charity.
The problem is this impasse is about labor having the ability to sit at the table on an even level with management. Money has a part in all this but most often those as rabidly anti-union as Rauner are more concerned with control. LSSI and those like them are collateral damage.
The time when granny was taken care of by family is past. Modern times will make Social Services more necessary. The race to lower wages and benefits will increase that need. Show me an entity besides government that can address those needs.
Comment by Bemused Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 1:30 pm
MrJM. Could I get a vote for prefacing with a brief(occasional) career history. Or is this too personal?
Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 1:49 pm
A point of historical reference — LSSI began in 1867 with an orphanage near the Quad-Cities to care for children whose parents had died of cholera, and served its immigrant ethnic communities in different capacities for many years. It wasn’t till the mid-1900s that it got so heavily involved in partnerships with the state of Illinois to provide essential services to vulnerable populations across the board. Over time these partnerships have worked well, but Rauner’s extreme ideological agenda and tactics threaten to destroy that model of service delivery as he demonstrates that the state is no longer a reliable partner.
Comment by olddog Friday, Jan 15, 16 @ 2:08 pm