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Our sorry state

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* Mark Brown…

About 80,000 fewer children are being served by the state’s Child Care Assistance Program than in the previous year, according to the advocacy group Illinois Action for Children, which met here this week.

* David Glassman, the president of Eastern Illinois University, spoke to a Senate committee yesterday…

And today, he said, will be the last day of work for 177 civil service employees at EIU.

“Of these 177 civil service employees, some are single parents, some are dealing with health issues, and in some cases the layoffs will affect both husband and wife in the same household,” Glassman said. “I wish to be clear that these positions are being eliminated not because they are unessential. We need them. And not because we are rightsizing the university. That already has been accomplished.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:40 pm

Comments

And nothing can be done, apparently, until either Madigan sells out the middle class or Republican legislators get the intestinal fortitude to actually represent their constituency. I wonder which will happen first.

Someone needs to tell Rodagno that when “starting the beast”, she needs to remember that working class families aren’t beasts.

Comment by CharlieKratos Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:49 pm
“Our Sorry State” I tried to type in some other words, but they wouldn’t come. All I could think of was “Our Sorry State”

Comment by Joe M Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:51 pm
I’m sure Rauner will sleep just fine tonight, knowing that he is living up to the fine examples of Governors Jindal, Brownback, Walker, Snyder, and Scott.

Comment by Aldyth Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:51 pm
In addition to the state universities, the community colleges are also hurting. I read that Kishwaukee is laying off 24.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:55 pm
The frat boys are having an up day.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:55 pm
Add 177 families to those whose lives have been turned upside down by a manufactured problem they themselves had nothing to do with.

I am sorry to say that sad, sobering evidence is mounting that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 2:59 pm
The 2nd Annual Governor’s Dinner honoring Bruce Rauner is tonight. I’m sure he’ll be eatin’ well. Meanwhile, in Illinois Reality, the pain keeps getting paid out.

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:00 pm
Brazil may be on o something. How ’bout it IL? Maybe time to get started in IL.

‘Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff says she is not resigning from office despite impeachment call, claims demands for her resignation causing political crisis that has hurt country’s economy - Reuters’

Comment by sal-says Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Doesn’t the economy grow when there are less people working?

/snark/

Comment by Jack Stephens Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:05 pm
I hate to sound callous but this is nothing compared to the numbers thrown into the maw till we get a budget in Jan 2017. These are only the initial casualties of the Battle of Higher Education. The Battle of Social Services is over. Only the wounded now are slowly dying. Their numbers weren’t even counted and maybe never will be. Like the unknown soldiers, they won’t be known. The hope is that by having a good head count of those effected the numbers will be counted against the likes of the Raunerite in Higher ed cities and regions. It’s going to be so so ugly. My prayer for those effected as well as my appeal for prayers for the fallen of the first battle. I hate this. I really do.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Thanks Bruce. Thanks Rauner Caucus.

Comment by Austin Blvd Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:15 pm
Raise my taxes already. I’m begging ya!

Comment by Saluki Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:19 pm
I’m sure Sandack is frustrated too.

Comment by Big Joe Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:27 pm
There is no head count on the number of people laid off or effected by the death of Social Services? I find it hard to believe that no one has the numbers.

Comment by Mama Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:37 pm
Honeybear is right, this is just the beginning of the crisis for higher ed, but others will following shorty.

Comment by Mama Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:39 pm
I used to work at NEIU. Stopped in to see my old colleagues while my son was using the library. Lots of fear on that campus. Questions of staying or moving on, students and staff alike. It does look like they are mobilizing politically. Hopefully it will not be too little too late.

Comment by Peters Post Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:50 pm
It has been a sad day at EIU but I am proud to have witnessed a community full of compassion. My heart goes out to my co-workers who truly love the university and look forward to serving our students once again. The administration, faculty, and staff remain dedicated to our wonderful students. One of the most touching moments I witnessed today was the presentation of a remembrance book to an administrative aide. The book was made by the student employees. We are EIU.

Comment by Bleeding Blue Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:55 pm
All of these laid off university employees (plus the ones who see the writing on the wall) will either flee the state to work for other governments that know how to govern, or will enter the private work force en masse and increase competition in a dwindling job market. Imagine what kind of salary and benefits you would have to accept to get an administrative position in Charleston after 177 new competitors, with years of experience, families to support and debts to pay, enter the market. Of course that assumes that there will be any job market in Charleston when the students abandon Eastern.

Comment by anon123 Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 3:59 pm
=== It has been a sad day at EIU but I am proud to have witnessed a community full of compassion. ===

There are going to be a lot more sad days at EIU and Charleston unless you and your community put a load of passion on your Senator and Representative for enabling the Rauner impasse.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:07 pm
I don’t get it. Higher education employees are losing their jobs because the money’s running out.

But all State employees are keeping their jobs because Rauner didn’t want to make waves, even though there’s not enough money.

I don’t want anyone to lose their job but this haphazard method isn’t fair. Across the board cuts or thoughtful cuts but not this random disaster.

Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:09 pm
The drum has been beating slowly for at a least decade and now its the slow walk to the gallows. Charleston and Macomb will be hit the hardest, these little towns can’t absorb shots like this. The Dance Macabre has begun. “Ask not for whom the bell tolls
…

Comment by the Cardinal Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:11 pm
Not only is irrevocable damage being to these families, the institutions of higher education in this state are being tainted for years to come. What talent will want to come these dumpster fires set by Bruce Rauner?

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 11, 16 @ 4:13 pm