Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka says Illinois is running out of money for child welfare, workers' compensation and services for seniors and the disabled.
Topinka is the state's chief fiscal officer. In a statement Monday, she says state agencies need about $1 billion to carry them through the end of the fiscal year in June.
Topinka, a Republican, says lawmakers need to "end the denial" and deal with the crisis before it jeopardizes critical services residents need. She's urging them to transfer money from more financially sound programs.
"I'm not saying (more sound programs) have money coming out of their ears; They obviously don't," Topinka says. "But they're certainly a lot better off than these agencies, which are going to close up shop, literally, and hang a sign on the door that says, 'Gone Fishin'.'"
"I'm not saying (more sound programs) have money coming out of their ears; They obviously don't," Topinka says. "But they're certainly a lot better off than these agencies, which are going to close up shop, literally, and hang a sign on the door that says, 'Gone Fishin'.'"
Last year more than 40,000 child care providers were notified they wouldn't get state funding for three months because the child care fund had run out of cash. Legislators later moved $73.6 million from other parts of the budget to supplement the fund.
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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