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* The Senate Democrats are doing a pretty good job lately of getting stories out there that aren’t being covered by “real” reporters. For instance…
In November, River Valley Metro made the difficult decision of eliminating two bus routes and ending Sunday and holiday service due to the state’s budget impasse. The Kankakee-area transit agency was owed thousands of dollars from the state with no prospect of receiving funding any time soon.
“At some point, we will run out of options and be forced to shut down,” River Valley Metro CEO Rob Hoffmann said at the time.
While River Valley Metro did finally receive a state payment late last year, the funding was not enough to restore cut services. In addition, the agency remains uncertain when they will receive their next payment, making it nearly impossible to hire and retain employees or make strategic plans for the future.
“We are having a heck of a time just hiring employees,” Hoffmann said. “The uncertainty surrounding our state funding is leading to a perception that we will eventually shut down completely.”
Today, the state owes more than $12.8 billion in unpaid bills to small business, non-profits and agencies like River Valley Metro.
“We need a budget, period,” State Senator Toi Hutchinson (D – Chicago Heights) said. “At some point, certain agencies and programs will be so damaged that they will be beyond repair. Do we want to wait to get to that point when we have nothing left?”
The state budget situation is also endangering funding River Valley Metro receives from federal grants and programs. Due to service cutbacks, River Valley Metro lost out on one federal program worth more than $150,000.
A quick Google news search shows no other recent stories about this problem.
Any more ideas for the SDems - or any of the other caucuses, for that matter?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 9:32 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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“At some point, certain agencies and programs will be so damaged that they will be beyond repair. Do we want to wait to get to that point when we have nothing left?” I know one person who does!
Comment by don the legend Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 9:35 am
Yes, look at the Community Care Program closures and reductions in service.
Comment by CCP Hostage Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 9:39 am
Public Transit in general across downstate is hanging by a thread:
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20161128/nightime-smtd-bus-users-get-one-hour-reprieve
Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 9:50 am
There’s a ripple effect on jobs and workers when people cannot access public transit. Of course, it mostly has an effect on low-income people, so why would Billionaire Bruce care? He’s got 188 million reasons to be happy.
Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 10:10 am
Good for the SDems–they’re stepping up to fill a messaging void left, sadly by their own IDP.
There have been a lot of people laid off from social service agencies. That’s a big impact on their local communities, independent on the loss of the services for those in need.
Clearly there’s a negative impact on medical providers of all sorts including pharmacists. That impacts local communities as well.
Same likely goes for other state vendors.
SDems (and HDems) should be focusing on their districts and highlighting the real, local impact. Candidates for districts for the 2018 election should be highlighting votes taken by their opponents. A coordinated effort should generate more media coverage.
Comment by Earnest Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 10:20 am
“‘’Any more ideas for the SDems - or any of the other caucuses, for that matter?'’”
Sorry, a bit sloppy. Ammo for those who assume this is a Dem-supporting blog.
Better to ask “any other news out there about the state impasse our readers would like to know?”
I know, Rich, Bite me, and get your own blog. LOL
Comment by walker Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 10:51 am
Many downstate Transit Agencies are glorified cab services. In no way, shape or form, can govt provide these services. Here is another area the state can save some dollars.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 10:54 am
What is the real cost of the Governor’s office? Add back the off-shored staff, the equipment bought by other agencies, and compare it to Quinn, who was no novice at the process.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 10:55 am
Blue Dog, there are two very different services downstate - one urban and one rural. Many of the rural agencies are the only available transportation to and from medical appointments, dialysis, etc. I’m assuming this is the type of service you’re speaking to.
In larger cities, transit is the only means for many to get to medical care, groceries, etc. You might accurately call public transportation a “glorified cab service” for those with no other alternative. And Social Security is “glorified” private retirement savings. And public schools are “glorified home schools” like. And drug and alcohol rehab programs are “glorified church services”. I could go on all day.
Like many other social services, many who don’t HAVE to use them see no value.
Comment by Anon Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:23 am
>Many downstate Transit Agencies are glorified cab services. In no way, shape or form, can govt provide these services. Here is another area the state can save some dollars.
I don’t know. In my town there are no cab companies and none interested. I would imagine it just gets worse the further south you go in IL. Gov. needs to step in because no one else will get it done.
On the other hand, the hospital has a couple of vans they use to help people out.
I don’t know. I think you’ve got a good point, but I also think there are serious needs as well. But no, public transportation is always going to be an expense and not a break even (or even close) proposition.
Comment by Earnest Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:47 am
Ernie. Spot on. But there is more than one incident of stupid trips made by people who can afford alternative transport mode. Many,many.
Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 11:51 am
River Valley Metro has provided a lot more service than most agencies in similar-sized counties without a major university anchor…with something like 12 trips connecting to the Metra Electric line per day. Even the DeKalb service doesn’t do that, though it has a built-in subsidy from NIU students and is similarly situated from the nearest Metra station. It is a credit to RVM that they have maintained and even expanded their service in this environment for so long, and this is not an unexpected result.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:07 pm
Mendoza should clear a month or two of payments out for them if it is so critical. It is in her hands now, it was fully budgeted for.
Comment by The Machine Monday, Mar 27, 17 @ 12:34 pm
It will take decades for the Illinois State Museum system to recover… its senseless 9 month closure and subsequent reopening left it decimated. The remaining staff is trying to keep things going.
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Comment by Rob Rigoni Friday, Mar 31, 17 @ 3:32 am