By Terry James

You’ve probably heard of “the one percent” and “the 99 percent.”  But, in the state budget impasse, there’s “the 18 percent.

That 18 percent is the part of the budget not agreed upon according to a group of non-profit organizations that are funded by it.

Kathy Drea represents the American Lung Association, which runs the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line.

“Every state in the nation has a quit line,” says Drea.  “If the Illinois Tobacco Quit Line is not funded, Illinois will be the only state to not have a quit line.”

Drea says what’s more, it’s not taxpayer dollars that is supposed to fund the quit line — it’s money the state receives annually from a legal settlement with tobacco companies.

As for why Drea started getting on the phone and getting other non-profits on her side…State Senator Heather Steans says it’s simple.

“Every single day, just about, I’m hearing from another social service provider in my district on what they’re having to do to try to get through the fact that they don’t have a budget,” says Steans.

Drea says many of the groups have just gotten together for the first time, but all have the same need for a budget to be passed.

John Markley, CEO of Alton-based Centerstone, which helps those with various types of disabilities, says the social service agencies are the voices of the voiceless.

“What’s common among us, is the people we’re here to talk about, are people who can’t talk for themselves,” says Markley.  “It’s a very vulnerable group.  Whatever…types of services we’re offering, we’re the only people right now speaking for them.”

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].