Senator Steve Stadelman calling on Governor to release funding for services

 

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- Thousands of families across the state are suffering because of the budget stalemate in Springfield, but some local legislators say there's a solution, and all it needs is Governor Rauner's signature.

Toyya Young lives in one of the apartments owned by Shelter Care Ministries, a group that aims to help families overcome homelessness. Young says the help the group has given her family has been enormous.

"We were homeless, and they actually helped us get stable housing," she says.

However, the budget impasse in Springfield is preventing non-profits across the state to help families like Young's. Senator Steve Stadelman is urging the governor to sign bi-partisan legislation, which would provide 700 million dollars in funding for services like Shelter Care, Meals on Wheels and programs for kids. Stadelman says the legislation has been sitting on Rauner's desk for the past month.

"The past year or so, we've have many non-profit organizations that have gone out of business. Their future's in jeopardy and then they had to cut back programs. This would provide immediate relief for these providers to continue these services so they are not cut in the future," says senator Steve Stadelman.

Shelter Care says they've had to scale back on families they can help, because the cuts.

"It seems harder to get help all around. Everyone is kind of holding onto what little money they have. I think the residents and the people we serve are feeling the pinch because they can't access the same amount of services that they could before," says Sarah Parker-Scanlon of Shelter Care Ministries.

Young hopes the governor takes action.

"With homelessness, there's a face. We have faces. There's people hurting. There's children to think about. They're innocent. People are trying to do their best," says Young.

The bill passed the house by a 111-0 vote and passed the senate by a 56-0 vote. A spokesman for Governor Rauner told 23 News that this human services funding is part of a more over-reaching stop gap budget that he was pushing yesterday in the Stateline. And that's where the democratic leadership should be concentrating.

Above is from:  http://www.wifr.com/content/news/Senator-Steve-Stadelman-Calling-on-Governor-to-Release-Funding-for-Services-381823591.html