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.
