Post by Logan on Mar 23, 2016 4:44:42 GMT -6
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois homeless shelters struggling to get by without state aid during the budget stalemate could get a much-needed financial boost through specialty scratch-off lottery tickets.
A bipartisan measure pending in the Illinois Legislature would create a new $3 scratch ticket and designate all the proceeds beyond administrative costs and prize money for grants to help shelters that serve the tens of thousands of homeless people statewide.
As social service providers suffer statewide without government aid, the proposal demonstrates one instance in which lawmakers are scrambling to find a way to sustain funding for one of the many programs that can no longer operate at full capacity. The failure of the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to agree on a budget that should've taken effect July 1 has left many social service providers facing uncertain futures.
The Illinois Department of Human Services, which provides programming for the state's homeless, youth and disabled, owes over 800 private contractors about $168 million in back payments. And every day that goes by without a budget adds to an already staggering state debt. Comptroller Leslie Munger said the state's backlogged bills could total $10 billion by June 30.
Read more: hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ILLINOIS_BUDGET_HOMELESS_SHELTERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-03-22-17-29-21
A bipartisan measure pending in the Illinois Legislature would create a new $3 scratch ticket and designate all the proceeds beyond administrative costs and prize money for grants to help shelters that serve the tens of thousands of homeless people statewide.
As social service providers suffer statewide without government aid, the proposal demonstrates one instance in which lawmakers are scrambling to find a way to sustain funding for one of the many programs that can no longer operate at full capacity. The failure of the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner to agree on a budget that should've taken effect July 1 has left many social service providers facing uncertain futures.
The Illinois Department of Human Services, which provides programming for the state's homeless, youth and disabled, owes over 800 private contractors about $168 million in back payments. And every day that goes by without a budget adds to an already staggering state debt. Comptroller Leslie Munger said the state's backlogged bills could total $10 billion by June 30.
Read more: hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ILLINOIS_BUDGET_HOMELESS_SHELTERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-03-22-17-29-21