Gov. Bruce Rauner has suspended $26 million in social services and public health grants to narrow a $1.6 billion budget gap.
Included is $7 million to pay for the funerals and burials of public aid recipients; $3 million apiece for immigrant, teen and smoking-cessation programs; and nearly $4 million for autism, HIV and AIDS awareness and other community programs.
Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says the governor’s office worked with the Departments of Human Services and Public Health “to see which grants could be suspended and (then) prioritized essential services.”
In March, Rauner suspended an uncertain amount in parks and recreation grants. The budget deal the Republican negotiated with a Democratic-led Legislature allows him to scour state-agency grants and find those lines that can best sustain cuts _ at least temporarily.
Meanwhile service providers are struggling with what work will look like Monday after Gov. Bruce Rauner trimmed $26 million in state grants.
Among funding cut late Friday to close a $1.6 billion current-year deficit is $3.4 million for helping immigrants assimilate and $3.1 million to help kids between the ages of 7 and 17.
Breandan (BREHN’-din) Magee is program director for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. He said Saturday that English classes, citizenship-application assistance and more will end.
Jimi Orange of Children’s Home and Aid says as many as a quarter of the 100 kids who are tutored after school in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood won’t be able to come anymore.
