Southern Counties: Unwise and Unfair: Cuts and Late Payments Jeopardize Illinois Human Services Safety

Human services are essential supports that enhance the well-being and quality of life of people, families, and communities throughout Illinois. They affirm human dignity and avert more costly approaches to addressing individual and societal need. Such programs are among the wisest of public investments. The majority of human services provided in Illinois are delivered by organizations at the community level. The State's failure to provide timely payment to providers who are serving in this role is unfair, forcing providers, in effect, to serve as lenders to the state. As these survey results and data indicate, continued cuts and late payments are damaging Illinois' human services safety net with negative ripple effects throughout individual lives and local communities