The Illinois Senate passed legislation today requiring state agencies to send a heads up to social service groups before cutting or eliminating their funding.
Senator Heather Steans, a Democrat from Chicago, says it's in response to Governor Bruce Rauner suddenly cancelling grants to dozens of organizations just before Easter last year. After heaps of criticism, he later restored the funding.
"It also provides certainty to social service providers that they will not be forced to immediately cease services."
The measure says state agencies must give the governor and General Assembly a four month notice if it doesn't have the money to afford or pay grants. The vendors themselves would have to be given at least 30 days' notice.
Critics say it's unfair to make state agencies give notice so far in advance when the budget process is so uncertain.