Chicago City Wire

Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs divulged recently that the state suffered $31.2 million in missed revenue opportunities in the year’s first quarter following the state’s epic budget impasse, with his office forced into difficult choices.

“The inability to adequately plan investments rips money out of the pockets of every person in our state, especially hurting those on the margins such as the poor, senior citizens and children,” Frerichs, whose office has had to reprioritize its investment strategy to keep pace with the unpredictable cash flow, said. 

Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago, a local nonprofit program dating to 1857, is among those feeling the pinch. Employing almost 900 workers in seven centers and many more auxiliary sites both citywide and across Cook and DuPage counties, the organization stands among those providers that have lent the state money.

Taneka Jennings, a coordinator for government affairs and strategic initiatives at Metropolitan Family Services, estimated that Illinois will be indebted to the group to the tune of $2.6 million by year’s end.

“All year long, low-income families and not-for-profit providers have suffered, footing the bill for problems they did not create,” Jennings said. “The lack of a state budget is a structural failure that is damaging our economy, hurting thousands of people, and causing irreparable harm to communities served by organizations such as Metropolitan Family Services.”

Jennings added that the agency already has been forced to close down some services.