ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN LEADERS ARE ANNOUNCING A PLAN TO FUND HUMAN SERVICE PROGRAMS.
THE ONE POINT THREE BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING BILL WOULD HELP FUND PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS, VETERANS, THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED AND MENTALLY ILL. IT ALSO SUPPORTS RAPE CRISIS CENTERS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHRISTINE RADOGNO SAYS THESE SERVICES HAVE TAKEN A BIG HIT DUE TO THE CURRENT BUDGET SITUATION.
RADOGNO SAYS THE PLAN DEPENDS ON PASSAGE OF OTHER LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO REDUCE PENSION COSTS IN THE SHORT AND LONG TERM.
THE LEGISLATION APPROPRIATES MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE COMMUNITY CARE PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS…HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION…AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT. IT’S TIED TO OTHER BILLS TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A WAY TO PAY FOR THE PROGRAMS SAYS HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JIM DURKIN.
SPECIFICALLY, REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING AT PENSION REFORMS TO HELP CUT COSTS NOW AND OVER THE LONG TERM. THEY SAY THEY ARE ALSO OPEN TO OTHER IDEAS SUCH AS PROCUREMENT REFORMS AND UTILIZING EXCESS SPECIAL FUNDS TO PAY FOR VITAL PROGRAMS.