Illinois lawmakers pass human services spending

Posted on May 13, 2016
Jim Durkin closeup
Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin tried unsuccessfully to get an amendment passed to a human services bill to provide funding for the Illinois Department of Corrections. (Photo courtesy Facebook/House Republicans)

By FarmWeekNow/WFMB

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House and Senate have passed nearly three quarters of a billion dollars in funding for human services.

The $700 million will in part fund services haven’t been receiving money as part of court ordered consent decrees. Again funding for the bill relies on sweeps of money from set aside funds to pay for the services. Programs would less than 50 percent funded if the bill becomes law.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin also wanted funding to be directed to the Illinois Department of Corrections, though that part of the plan didn’t make the cut.

“We have a situation where food is not going to be provided within the Department of Corrections which is possible some time over the summer,” Durkin said. “There’s going to very serious concerns we are going to have in those prisons and I think some very serious safety issues are going to come from it.”

Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to push for a comprehensive budget bill.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…