Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) issued the following statement today regarding the Illinois budget stalemate:

“Every day my colleagues and I are confronted with sobering reminders of the consequences of Illinois’ historic budget stalemate. In communities throughout the state, organizations that help the poor, the sick, the elderly, the young and the disenfranchised on behalf of state government are closing their doors because they have not been paid. Highly respected public universities and community colleges are preparing what amount to doomsday scenarios because they, too, have received no state money. As the state’s backlog of bills grows, so does uncertainty about Illinois’ future.

“Senate Bill 2046, which the Senate approved today (with changes suggested in the House), would offer assurances to providers of vital services that are on the brink of collapse today, while giving Democratic and Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly time to continue working with the governor on longer-term solutions to Illinois’ financial and economic problems.

“I don’t think we can say it enough: The General Assembly and the governor cannot allow Illinois’ network of human services and higher education to collapse in the short term for the sake of non-budgetary initiatives that require time and effort to negotiate. Shutting down the government is not an option. This legislation offers temporary relief.

“I urge Gov. Rauner to sign Senate Bill 2046 and bring some stability to universities, community colleges, human service providers and the communities statewide that rely on those institutions for jobs and for help.”