Lack Of Payment Due To Illinois Budget Impasse Forces Lutheran Social Services Illinois To Cut Services & Layoff Staff

On January 22, 2016, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) announced that it was closing many of its programs and laying off staff due to state funding cuts for non-mandatory spending because of the state's failure to pass a state budget for the current fiscal year. The state currently owes LSSI $6.5 million for program services delivered over the past seven months. While waiting for the state to pass a budget, LSSI relied on a line of credit and resources from its foundation, but both funding sources are now exhausted. LSSI leadership is cutting programs and restructuring . . .