As Illinois’ record budget impasse nears the 2-year mark, the morale at non-profits across the state continues to decline.
“In every service area, from childcare to senior care to domestic violence care," Judith Gethner, executive director of Illinois Partners for Human Service, said. "And it's very difficult to talk about something that is a slow, slow death."
The grim fiscal landscape was the focus of IPHS' latest board meeting, earlier this month. IPHS, which is based in Chicago, works with 800 social service organizations across Illinois.
Gethner says in addition to having services trimmed or eliminated, nonprofits are also struggling to attract and keep employees.
“Because people do not want to stay in this field, for the same money, people want to go into retail, and it is very difficult to recruit,” Gethner said.
That poses economic risks for Illinois. Workers who are recruited from outside the state may not want to move, due to the state’s fiscal uncertainty, Gethner said.
Most non-profit agencies in Illinois are expected to approve their fiscal year-end budgets at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, payments from the state are running anywhere from 6 to 18 months behind, forcing nonprofit organizations to take out loans to operate programs mandated by the state.
Gethner says she’s worried people are becoming numb to the impact of the impasse, after nearly 23 months without a state budget.
