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WE'RE BUILDING A MOVEMENT IN ILLINOIS! JOIN US!

Illinois Partners for Human Service is building a movement in communities around the state to educate and inform human service providers and their clients to advocate for the basic rights we all deserve. Our human services network supports the most valuable asset Illinois possesses - its residents.

This system must be well-managed, maintained, and renewed in order for people and communities within it to remain healthy, safe and prepared for current and future economic challenges to its wellbeing. By raising the collective voice of our over 800 members, Illinois Partners fosters collaborations to achieve quality services, adequate funding and measurable results for those most in need.

We can't do this alone- we need your help. Click here to join Illinois Partners and become a part of this movement!


Issue of the Week: Cannot Hold

The breadth and depth of state budget cuts to the human service are often underestimated. Funding delays to human service provides results in their inability to accept new clients due to lack of resources. Illinoisans having a hard time finding services are often find themselves on expanding waiting lists. 

Fund Development and Marketing Manager at United Way of Greater McHenry County, Megan Harned, expresses her concern. “I think individuals are having a hard time finding services because many agencies are not able to accept new clients due to lack of resources. The closing of the Family Service and Mental Health Center, due in part to budget cuts, put thousands of people back into the community without help for their medical needs.”

Supporting the organizations that help our families is a key responsibility of the state.  Paying the not-for-profit human service community providers for services delivered is the number one obligation of the state.

Please click here to support these services in your community. learn more about debt restructuring and how Illinois Partners for Human Service is fighting for the dignity of all Illinoisans through the restructuring our State’s debt.
Illinois Partners for Human Service is a state-wide organization of over 800 members from every corner of Illinois. We organize the human service sector and influence public policy in order to win sustainable outcomes to ensure quality services, adequate funding, and measurable results.  

The Illinois Human Services Commission Has Issued Their Recommendations for Budgeting for Results

Click here to view the full report as of January 8, 2013

Communicating Your Story

Your story and message is important when communicating for change. Here are some useful tools for communicating with your community and media outlets: (Making The Case: Documenting Outcomes and How Have Continued Cuts to Human Services Impact Residents of Illinois). Also, let them know... 

  • Human Services must be a priority for their community.
  • Rebalancing, the closing of state facilities, and the movement of individuals into the care of community-based providers requires thoughtful planning and community support.
  • The FY13 budget has been signed by the Governor; the Illinois Department of Human Services received a reduction of approximately $200 million.
  • Since FY 2009, the state has slashed about $950 million - over 20 percent - from Department of Human Services' grants to community-based providers. We need these harmful cuts to our sector restored!
  • The combination of continued cuts and chronic late payments to providers is devastating Illinois' ability to meet the needs of its most vulnerable residents.