Post by Logan on Apr 7, 2016 20:14:09 GMT -6
Republican leaders want to free up unspent money to fund Illinois social programs
Republican leaders Thursday said they are introducing legislation to provide about $1.3 billion to a variety of human-services programs that have been squeezed because of the state’s ongoing budget impasse.
However, the legislation is contingent on lawmakers also approving a series of pension changes sought by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner that would free up about $780 million that could be used to offset the cost of the human-services spending.
The proposed changes don’t diminish pension benefits, but shift costs away from the state.
“We have crises cropping up all over the state. The one that is near and dear to my heart, given that I’m a social worker and one that I think a lot of people have been feeling for a long time, is in the area of human services,” said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. “Human services are urgent to many members.”
The spending would cover programs like community care for the aged, addiction treatment, sexual assault counseling, services to homeless youth, veterans programs, various mental health and developmental disabilities and public health programs.
Read more: www.sj-r.com/news/20160407/republican-leaders-want-to-free-up-unspent-money-to-fund-illinois-social-programs
Republican leaders Thursday said they are introducing legislation to provide about $1.3 billion to a variety of human-services programs that have been squeezed because of the state’s ongoing budget impasse.
However, the legislation is contingent on lawmakers also approving a series of pension changes sought by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner that would free up about $780 million that could be used to offset the cost of the human-services spending.
The proposed changes don’t diminish pension benefits, but shift costs away from the state.
“We have crises cropping up all over the state. The one that is near and dear to my heart, given that I’m a social worker and one that I think a lot of people have been feeling for a long time, is in the area of human services,” said Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno of Lemont. “Human services are urgent to many members.”
The spending would cover programs like community care for the aged, addiction treatment, sexual assault counseling, services to homeless youth, veterans programs, various mental health and developmental disabilities and public health programs.
Read more: www.sj-r.com/news/20160407/republican-leaders-want-to-free-up-unspent-money-to-fund-illinois-social-programs