May 12--House lawmakers advanced legislation Wednesday that would pump roughly $700 million into the state's network of social service providers, a stopgap plan aimed at curbing layoffs and closures as agencies that care for the vulnerable struggle to keep the lights on after going nearly a year without funding.
While the measure cleared a House committee without opposition, Gov. Bruce Rauner's office raised doubts that he'd sign off on it, saying he's focused on a more comprehensive budget deal.
Under the plan, roughly $450 million would come from a specialized fund earmarked for human services that's supported by a portion of income tax revenue. Another $250 million would come from federal sources and other special funds. The money would be used on dozens of programs ranging from mental health counseling, treatment for those with epilepsy and autism, homeless prevention services, care for patients with HIV/AIDS, breast and cervical cancer screening and burial expenses for the poor.
Sponsoring Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, said the funds amount to roughly 46 percent of what social service providers would have received under the budget Democrats sent Rauner last year, which he vetoed.
While some providers have been able to operate with relatively little disruption after court orders kept the funding spigot on, many others have raided reserves or cut back on services to keep their doors open as they await state payment. Last week, a group of more than 64 agencies sued the Rauner administration, saying the state owes them more than $100 million for services they've provided since budget impasse began last July.
Harris said the legislation would relieve some of the immediate financial pressure and "we hope that we will be able to make whole all of the agencies who have been providing services."
The proposal follows an earlier stopgap plan to keep universities and community colleges open through the fall, a bipartisan agreement that Rauner signed off on because it did not rely on money from the state's general checkbook but again tapped into specialized funds that had surpluses following income tax season.
Officials with Rauner's office threw cold water on the social services plan, saying they feared the legislation is a signal that Democrats will pull out of behind-the-scenes negotiations aimed at striking a comprehensive deal, which has thus far remained elusive.
Further, if lawmakers continue to empty those funds, there will be less flexibility for Rauner down the road when the next budget emergency arises -- such as the operation of prisons, where vendors are also waiting to be paid.
"The administration supports full-year funding for human services, public safety and public health in the context of a complete balanced budget for (this year and next)," said spokeswoman Catherine Kelly.
Still, Republicans gave initial approval to the plan on Wednesday, with reservations.
