Illinois’ child welfare workers are getting caught up in the ongoing budget stalemate in Springfield.
While there’s no spending plan - a federal judge mandated Illinois government to keep funding child welfare...
Including checking on allegations of child abuse or neglect.
Contractors have been told to keep doing that work at the same funding level.
Meantime - the state’s Department of Children and Family Services is telling them to prepare for 10 percent cuts.
Marge Berglind is with the Child Care Association of Illinois.
BERGLIND: If that 10 percent keeps going throughout the fiscal year, then the department’s going to have to come back and tell providers what they expect them to do 10 percent less of.
In response to questions about why DCFS is instructing groups to cut 10 percent - even though there is no budget…
A spokeswoman did not directly answer the question, but said they’re responsibly managing the department’s finances.