Protestants for the Common Good

June 26, 2009

Dear Friends:

There is symbolic truth in the fact that 5,000 people protesting pending human services budget cuts in Springfield led to the closing of the state capitol building last Tuesday.

If our elected officials can’t meet the needs of the people of the state, why not just shut down the space where the people’s business is supposed to be done?

We all know the problem: in the face of a $9–11 billion budget deficit, the General Assembly approved a 2010 budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 that equals 50% of current state expenditures.

When government fails, it is the most vulnerable who fall by the wayside: the poor, the disabled, the mentally ill, the children, and seniors. Example: the Illinois Department of Human Services two weeks ago sent out a letter telling their unit heads to prepare for 72% cuts in general revenue funds for child care starting July 1.

In an effort to avert the crisis, Governor Quinn convened a special session of the General Assembly this week. It produced nothing. The state’s new fiscal year starts in five days. What will happen to human service clients across the state? What should we call upon our leaders to do?

It is widely accepted that we need a tax increase. But neither Republicans nor Democrats want to take the political heat that comes with supporting it. And now even Speaker Mike Madigan’s vaunted power is insufficient to break the deadlock: there are 70 Democrats in the House, but 71 votes, a 3/5th majority, are required for action.

Some legislative leaders seem to assume that at the last minute, they can simply extend the current budget forward month-by-month, averting the crisis and providing more time to negotiate. But this will just stretch out the problem.

We need to understand two things. First, legislators are tragically miscalculating. Services have already been disrupted. Layoffs are occurring right now in youth services, programs for the disabled, and others.

Second, stringing human care providers along month by month with a continuation budget is unacceptable. There is a limit to which providers can live in a world of uncertainty. In the absence of predictable funding, some will close down, others will cut back, some will decide it is not worth it, and simply leave the state to work elsewhere. They will defer vacations, even as legislators take time off while seeking to avoid political blame.

We must insist that the General Assembly reconvene and stay in session until the crisis is resolved. This is their responsibility, and we should demand that they meet it.

Please do two things right now: First, contact your elected officials. Call the Governor and your legislators. Urge them to keep working until they reach a balanced solution to our fiscal problems — one that includes an income-tax increase for new resources, instead of relying only on cuts.

If your representative voted in favor of a tax increase, thank them for their courage, and urge them to hold firm. We should press Republican legislators to offer specific proposals for whatever compromise they believe would make a new budget possible.

Second, pray with us and human service organizations across the state. Simultaneous vigils will take place Monday evening at both the Thompson Center in Chicago and at the Lincoln Statue in front of the state capitol in Springfield. We urge your participation. Both are planned for the hours of 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. But I would not be surprised if they continue until our legislators find a way to resolve what is proving to be a tragedy for the people — especially the most vulnerable — of Illinois.

Sincerely,

Rev. Alexander Sharp,
Executive Director