Illinois’ human service providers are calling on lawmakers and the governor to go beyond passing this year’s fiscal budget – which is five months overdue. They also want a plan passed that covers the next fiscal year.
Judith Gethner with Illinois Partners for Human Services, says they want both to happen in January so providers can prepare for cuts that are likely to come.
“You give these nonprofits the ability to plan starting in January for not only the last six months of the fiscal year, but then into the next year," Gethner said. "Cause they can do better at fending off whatever’s going to hit them if they’ve got longer runway to run.”
The governor is scheduled to present his next budget in February. But Gethner says that the work for next fiscal year’s spending plan typically starts at this time of year, so it would be possible to approve a two-year plan in January.
